Tales from a Bruised Mind

This week I was a bit brave.

I did something that many would not want to do: express my mental health situation at my work.

Since early January, I changed careers and started work with a big creative and PR company called Dentsu.

Change is always difficult for me, regardless of whether it is positive or negative, but I was welcomed with open arms. I felt like family right from the beginning.

Now three months in to the job, I posted to my Linkedin as I was celebrating a year since the launch of my book, A Ballad from a Bruised Brain, which I have talked a lot about on this blog.

The response I got from my professional network and, in particular, from many people at Dentsu was simply amazing.

Sure, I was nervous to put myself out there, but then I thought, “why not just be open?”

After all, from my experiences you don’t ever get anywhere without speaking up, asking questions and being a little vocal from time to time. And so, I was given the biggest warm embrace by Dentsu, which shocked me. I just wasn’t expecting it.

A lot of people told me of their own lives, their own struggles and even of friends and family who were suffering from bipolar disorder, too. I couldn’t believe the affect it had had on others in the office.

It made me feel inspired and wanting to do more. Sharing my website with team Dentsu was a big leap of faith, but it had a great reception.

Here’s a few little takeaways from this week:

• Speaking up is hard because we all worry about what others will think, or whether they will treat us differently as a result
• Speaking up in the workplace is even harder because many just don’t understand mental illness still – there is a lot of work to do
• Stigma is still prominent in our society
• But if you feel comfortable, making your employer aware of your mental health can in fact be beneficial.

Lots more to come on this from me!
Take care,

Zak