Mental Health Awareness Month is officially over, which means that this is our last Dear Manager portrait for the foreseeable future. Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign, downloaded our workplace guide, shared our resources, came to our events, and told us their stories. We learned so much from all of you, and hope that you learned a bit from us as well.
Just because May has ended, doesn’t mean we should stop the conversation. If anything, this campaign proved how much work needs to be done. Despite recent upticks in mental health news and conversation, the topic is still taboo in most spaces, especially work. Today’s employees don’t feel supported by their teams. They aren’t comfortable requesting accommodations or disclosing a diagnosis. They can’t ask higher-ups for flexibility and empathy when times get tough. This is the reality of the situation.
So, we urge you to keep discussing your mental health challenges, realizations and needs. If possible, become an advocate within your own work environment. Dearmanager.com will remain live for people to download our #BeautifulBrains guide, and share it with their HR teams in hopes of sparking internal change. If that doesn’t feel possible right now, focus on smaller efforts like overcoming a workplace trigger or checking-in with a coworker who’s having a hard time. They’re equally impactful.
To the employers out there: please consider investing in progressive mental health policies. We promise, it’s worthwhile. No one is left untouched by this crisis. Pretending it isn’t happening, won’t get you very far. In fact, it’s hurting your business more than you know.
Thanks again for listening. And since it’s now June… Happy Pride!!
