Mental Anguish & Mental Illness in the Workplace

It was a Wednesday when I began slipping into an unfamiliar place. I was sitting in a meeting going over the normal content for our bi-weekly roundup. I couldn't describe what I was feeling or why.  All I knew was that my heart was racing, my breathing was shallow and my body felt weak. I thought to myself, "as long as no one engages me in conversation, I should be fine". Just then it happened, "DaVonne, how about you what are your thoughts?" Right there, in the middle of a corporate office surrounded by my colleagues, I broke down into hysterical tears. I quickly got up, looking at the worried and confused faces in the room as I backed out of the door, attempting to find an escape. The bathroom was a few feet away. If I could make it I could get myself together. 

I reached the bathroom and locked the door, a place where I believed that I would be able to gather myself, is where I experienced the total opposite. I began to tremble uncontrollably, I couldn't breathe and I couldn't speak. I could only lay on the wooden bench curled up in the fetal position sobbing like a newborn baby. I was having a panic attack, a severe panic attack. 

The funny thing about mental illness is that it's not courteous, it doesn't consider your surroundings and who may be watching. Mental illness doesn't take a break because you have to work or because you have an important meeting or presentation. No, mental illness is a wrecking ball, with no clear direction or striking point. While we all know this to be true, no one ever addresses it. Mental Illness in the workplace is like discussing your salary with your colleague, you just don't do it! But why? 

In this uniquely designed program for companies and organizations, we show you the do's and don't's of how to approach the conversation of stress, mental anguish, and mental illness. We discuss the importance of inclusion and the detailed nuisance surrounding different forms of mental illness,  and offer tailored solutions, resources, and supports for your company to support their employees in a safe and inclusive environment.