Michelle E. Dickinson - How to Encourage Open Conversations at the Workplace to Eradicate Mental Health Stigma

The Legendary Leaders Podcast

How have you been dealing with your mental health struggles during the pandemic? We have to admit that in one way or the other, we may all have been struggling through the several months of the pandemic and lockdown.

It is important that you become self-aware of the issues we are going through and gather the courage to talk about them.

In this episode of the Legendary Leaders Podcast, we have Michelle E. Dickinson, a passionate mental health advocate, a TED speaker, and a published author of a memoir entitled ‘Breaking into My Life’. She has spent years working to eradicate the mental health stigma within her own workplace by elevating compassion, causing more open conversations, and leading real change in how mental illness is understood.

She powerfully shares her own struggles with mental health issues and offers advice on how leaders can support employees’ mental wellbeing.

Listen in to learn the importance of having empathy and compassion as a people’s leader to support your employees. You will also learn the importance of sharing your mental health struggles to open up the opportunity to receive help.

Key Takeaways:

• Have the courage to express your struggles to give those you love the opportunity to help you.
• How the consequences of the pandemic have significantly affected young people’s mental health.
• How to be the leader that models what you want your employees to be.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video show notes and SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST on Apple Podcasts.

Episode Timeline:

• [0:41] Intro
• [4:20] Michelle talks about her journey and experience in lockdown.
• [7:00] How fear and judgment are preventing people from openly expressing their feelings.
• [8:12] Michelle’s mental health and resilience work with organizations.
• [10:25] The responsibility leaders have to share as humans and allow others the same space.
• [12:45] The mental health crisis due to the pandemic according to statistics.
• [15:29] Learn to show up and support your employees’ mental wellbeing as a leader.
• [17:04] Michelle on teaching employees how to take back their power and create changes.
• [20:29] The power of communication and encouraging conversations at the workplace.
• [24:53] The different things you can engage in to shift your mindset and achieve balance.
• [27:03] The consequences of mental health in an organization and how to do more as a leader.
• [30:25] Michelle shares her mental health struggles both in her personal and work life.
• [33:04] The many reasons she continued advocating for mental health plus her memoir.
• [34:47] Why you shouldn’t be afraid to check in on yourself and others on mental health issues.

Standout Quotes:

• “Resilience is an important tool to have people be reminded they have more control than they think they do.”- Michelle E. Dickinson [8:55]

• “Your employees are your greatest asset.”- Michelle E. Dickinson [15:54]

• “Everything stems from your mindset; everything stems from your perspective on life.”- Michelle E. Dickinson [25:29]

• “If you want the best out of your people, you’ve got to meet them with what they’re dealing with.” -Michelle E. Dickinson [27:23]

• “Don’t be afraid to check in on yourself about how you’re doing.”- Michelle E.Dickinson [34:47]

• “There’s always a way that you can receive help.”- Cathleen Merkel [35:45]

Connect:

Find | Cathleen Merkel

At cathleenmerkel.com

On Instagram: @CathleenMerkel

On Facebook: @CathleenMerkelCoaching

On LinkedIn: @CathleenMerkel

Find | Michelle E. Dickinson

Website: www.michelleedickinson.com & www.breakingintomylife.com

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn6Yaq3AqLUebGmfZoRdB4Q

On Instagram: @michelledickinson71

On Twitter: @mdickinson13

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.dickinson.146?ref=bookmarks

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-e-dickinson-7882013

Book: Breaking into My Life Memoir

Grab your FREE Gift from Michelle here:​ ​https://breakingintomylife.com/excerpt/

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST On Apple Podcasts.

Do you want to learn more about how to become a Legendary Leader, then download my FREE Guide which shares 5 Proven Ways To Gain Confidence As An Inspirational Leader Without Overwhelm - Simply Click Here: 

https://www.cathleenmerkel.com/5-proven-ways

About Cathleen: 

As a Thought Leader in the Mindset & (Self-) Leadership space, Cathleen supports high achieving, but worn-out women create a more content & balanced life without sacrificing their hard-earned success. Following a simple 6 step framework, she helps you not only reconnect with your inner feminine side; Cathleen also supports you to rediscover your REAL YOU!

  Cathleen focuses on women who lost their sense of purpose, who feel they are running in a hamster wheel, trying to please everyone but themselves. She helps you to turn your careers, your social connections and personal life around so that you will start feeling fulfilled and excited again about the days to come. 

  At the end of the process, Cathleen's clients will feel healthier, happier, energised and clear about their future. 

    With over 15 years of leadership experience in Retail, Media & Broadcasting, Engineering and Property Investment, Cathleen has not only experienced the challenges and opportunities of a female leader herself; she has also been leading and supporting various leadership development initiatives within large, complex, multinational matrix organisations.

Only by deeply experiencing her very personal life challenges – ‘hitting a wall experiences’ –Cathleen was able to redefine her own purpose, deciding to bring ease and content to as many women as possible on the planet!

Tune in here:

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About Michelle E. Dickinson - Wellbeing & Resilience Authority, Author, TED Speaker, Passionate Mental & Health Change Agent

Michelle E. Dickinson is a passionate mental health advocate, a TED speaker, and a published author of a memoir entitled Breaking Into My Life. After years of playing the role of child caregiver, Michelle embarked on her own healing journey of self-discovery. Her memoir offers a rare glimpse into a young girl’s experience living with—and loving—her bipolar mother. Michelle spent years working to eradicate the mental health stigma within her own workplace by elevating compassion, causing more open conversations, and leading real change in how mental illness is understood in the workplace.

Michelle also knows first-hand what it feels like to struggle with a mental illness after experiencing her own depression due to challenging life events of her own just a few years ago. Michelle recently concluded her 19-year pharmaceutical career and became an entrepreneur. She has emerged from her own challenging life events with a strong desire to positively impact the mental health landscape within the first responder community, the workplace and within local communities.

Podcast Appearances

Mental Health Podcast: “Way to Greatness”

Turning Your Mess into Your Message

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/turning-your-mess-into-a-message-with-michelle-moravek-011/id1480605824?i=1000466044549

Mental Health in the Workplace: “Happy Healthy Workplace”

How to Drive Real Change in Your Company Culture for those with Invisible Disabilities

https://thehappyhealthyworkplace.com/how-to-drive-real-change-in-your-company-culture-so-that-people-with-invisible-disabilities-can-be-themselves/

Moving Beyond Only Mental Health First Aid Training

https://thehappyhealthyworkplace.com/moving-beyond-only-mental-health-first-aide-training/