LinkedIn Top Voices in Mental Health: The 10 creators to follow

The 2022 LinkedIn Top Voices in Mental Health highlights 10 thought leaders covering how to prioritize your mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health has become part of the decision making process for professionals weighing their next career move, with over a quarter of Gen Zers wanting their employers to offer free mental health benefits. In light of a global pandemic that upended the balance of work and life, many companies are now gradually adopting new resources for bridging the emotional gap between job responsibilities and the realities of daily life. As help becomes more accessible, professionals have the opportunity to prioritize their wellbeing , destigmatize care and help create safe environments for colleagues who may be struggling.

Today, LinkedIn News is debuting our first list of Top Voices in Mental Health — 10 thought leaders driving meaningful conversations around what it means to prioritize your mental health and wellbeing. From understanding the impacts of burnout to strategies for coping with uncertainty , these creators are focused on making mental health resources more accessible, approachable and informative. Check out and follow the creators that speak to your interests and stay updated on their latest insights in your LinkedIn feed.

While this is our latest Top Voices list, it joins a family of features highlighting creators in areas ranging from company culture to marketing and advertising . All Top Voices lists are editorially curated by the LinkedIn News team and highlight the creators to follow who are writing and sharing about today’s important workplace, career and industry topics. You can find more about how we compiled the list and who is eligible to be a Top Voice at the bottom of this article.

Check out this year’s #linkedintopvoices in Mental Health — and follow them to stay plugged into the conversation.

Warning: The creators below are discussing topics that may be triggering, such as depression and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there are resources to help. Click here for immediate and long-term support.

Honorees are listed in alphabetical order. Reporting by Josh M. Carney .

What she talks about: Aarons-Mele reframes mental health conversations with actionable advice for tuning into your wellbeing, channeling anxiety and practicing compassion . The communications executive shows why understanding and accepting the ups and downs of mental health can make you a stronger leader as she digs into the relationship between anxiety and success on “The Anxious Achiever” podcast. Aarons-Mele emphasizes the importance of becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable and how disruptive change can help you believe in yourself.

Her advice for prioritizing your mental health: “You can lead with authority and impact even when you feel anxious. But taking your mental health seriously and treating it like a vital piece of your career development, is one of the best investments you can make.”

?? See more of Mora Aarons-Mele’s content

What she talks about: Belgrave Harris, a health and fitness coach, breaks down the impact that burnout can have on mental health and questions to ask yourself about the root causes of stress. She outlines why boundaries are critical to build a healthy relationship between work and life as well as approachable ways to consistently nurture your mental health. Belgrave Harris shares how to talk about your wellness needs with your employer, ways that teams can build resiliency and how to reset throughout the day.

Her advice for prioritizing your mental health: “‘Fake it till you make it’ does NOT apply to your mental health. You are a human being with feelings that matter. Find a safe space to process them.”

?? See more of Ariel Belgrave Harris’s content

What she talks about: “Creating a supportive environment around mental health in the workplace starts with open and honest communication between employees and managers,” Bowman says . The consulting firm founder opens up about her journey with bipolar disorder and depression as she covers why employees are reluctant to talk about mental health and ways to promote wellness in the workplace. Bowman shares how to negotiate your mental wellness before taking a job and breaks down why authenticity is critical to the future of work .?

Her advice for prioritizing your mental health: “Pay attention to your mental health the same way you pay attention to your physical health. Know your triggers, set your boundaries, and seek help or support when needed.”

?? See more of Natasha Bowman’s content

What he talks about: Dedner is focused on eliminating barriers to mental health care for people of color . As the founder of a teletherapy platform, he emphasizes the need to destigmatize mental health and illness in Black and Brown communities and shares why therapists have to be culturally responsive to deliver effective care. Dedner opens up about his own struggle with suicide ideation and covers why rethinking cultural bias is critical for embracing a more inclusive approach to mental health care.

His advice for prioritizing your mental health: “All of us should have a personal mental health toolkit. In your toolkit should be techniques, practices, and rituals that help maintain your mental health. You can start with the basics: eating well, 8 hours of sleep, exercise, healthy and meaningful relationships, and spending time outdoors. The next level is personalized tools such as prayer, meditation, and breathing exercises. All of these are incredibly powerful tools. But, every toolkit is and should be personalized.”

?? See more of Kevin Dedner’s content

What she talks about: Doman, an organizational psychologist and author, discusses how to engage in more constructive conversations about mental health in the workplace . She uses her newsletter to synthesize how the latest headlines can impact employee wellbeing, strategies for coping with uncertainty , ways that gender impacts mental health and more . Doman not only breaks down the do’s and don’ts but shares how to make it easier to lead purposeful conversations about mental health at work.

Her advice for prioritizing your mental health: “Mental health IS as important as sleeping, eating, bathing, and breathing. When it comes to discussing your mental health at work - don't forget that importance - because no one else will remember it for you.”

?? See more of Melissa Doman’s content

What he talks about: As the CEO of one of the largest mental health care platforms, Glass is optimistic about a more equitable future for the industry.? He focuses on how to prioritize wellbeing through compassionate leadership and outlines ways to authentically respond to deeply human issues . “Employee mental health is now a business continuity issue,” Glass says , and as the global pandemic continues to blur the lines between work and life, “every board and executive team needs to be thinking about” ways to support the wellbeing of their employees.

His advice for prioritizing your mental health: “Meditation and mindfulness are like brushing teeth. We don't brush our teeth because we have a tooth problem, we brush our teeth to prevent those cavities down the line. If we prioritize taking care of our minds - even with just a few minutes of meditation a day - we build resilience, strengthen our ability to cope, and prevent mental health challenges that may arise over time.”

?? See more of Russell Glass’s content

What he talks about: Kelly, an executive at a mental health care services company, covers how conversations around mental health are changing inside the office . He talks about how to create a more empathetic approach to leadership and why mental health is just as important as physical health. “What we are now experiencing is a mental health pandemic,” Kelly says , and he breaks down why young people are bearing the brunt of it.

His advice for prioritizing your mental health: “‘Prioritizing mental health’ can feel like an abstract statement, so in my family we talk about ‘filling your cup’. Find the little things that add up in your week that bring balance, joy or simply relieve stress. Go for a walk, play with your dog, help with homework, take a nap, watch a funny movie… fill your cup.”

?? See more of Brendon John Kelly’s content

What he talks about: Metry has transitioned from being unable to make eye contact as he battled various aspects of social anxiety to now presenting his experience and advice in front of large groups. As an author and speaker, he opens up about his mental health journey while sparking conversations about everything from the impacts of social media on anxiety to the pitfalls of feeling the need to fit in . In his newsletter , he covers networking tips for introverts, stress management techniques and how to find a purpose more powerful than your anxiety.

His advice for prioritizing your mental health: “Truth is when it comes to mental health unless you train your brain to work better consistently, it won’t. Identify the core pillars of mental health - nutrition, sleep, relationships, exercise, mindfulness, purpose and create daily / weekly goals you can check off a list!”

?? See more of Mark Metry’s content

What she talks about: Orbé-Austin, a psychologist and executive coach, focuses on the implications of imposter syndrome by exposing how common myths and sayings such as “fake it till you make it” can reinforce self-doubt. She opens up about how to recognize, actively combat and understand when you’re overcoming the feeling of being an imposter. Orbé-Austin also addresses how to challenge negative thinking , manage expectations and even the importance of taking a compliment .

Her advice for prioritizing your mental health: “Impostor Syndrome can play such an integral role in the way that we see ourselves in the workplace, advocate for promotion, salary increases, negotiations, and the way we use our agency in reaching for our dreams. Overcoming your Impostor Syndrome and prioritizing your mental well-being can be the critical shift that serves as a catalyst for expanding your perception of what’s possible and the way that you choose to attain those goals.”

?? See more of Lisa Orbé-Austin’s content

What she talks about: “Rates of mental illness among children, adolescents, and young adults is increasingly one of the most pressing public health concerns,” Petersel says . As the founder of a service that matches millennial and Gen Z therapy-seekers with the right care, she covers how to support young people and the importance of making mental health resources more “accessible, approachable, and informative.” Petersel shares her experience as a female founder in the mental health space and the value in emotional work all while sharing tips and resources for prioritizing care.

Her advice for prioritizing your mental health: “Emotional work is serious. It is energy consuming when it's done well. Ensure that you are taking care of *you* inside and outside of work so that you have the energy and intention that you need to be a leader.”

?? See more of Alyssa Petersel’s content

How we compile the list

Top Voices is a series of lists that have been editorially curated by the LinkedIn News team, with the goal of highlighting creators to follow who are covering the chosen segments and/or topics. To compile each list, editors consider each individual’s content on LinkedIn. Specifically: Are they covering the topic at hand on a regular basis? Are their contributions insightful, conversational and timely? Have they built up and engaged with their communities? Do they seek to give and get help vs. being self-promotional? We aim to highlight a diverse set of voices, so that the list reflects the world we live and work in today.?

Who is eligible

Any LinkedIn member who shares content and drives professional conversations on the platform is eligible to be a Top Voice, with the exception of LinkedIn and Microsoft employees, members who have violated LinkedIn’s?User Agreement, including our?Professional Community Policies, or individuals currently running in an election for an executive, legislative or judicial position.

Top Voices may include individuals who are a part of the?LinkedIn Influencer?(invite-only) or the?Creator Accelerator?(application-based) programs. However, being a part of either does not automatically boost a member’s chance of being a Top Voice, nor is it a requirement or prerequisite for success on the platform.?

Interested in building your audience on LinkedIn??

New voices emerge every year — and there’s nothing stopping you from turning your own ideas into powerful conversations. Try?creating a post?to share your expertise or thoughts on the?latest trending news, and you may be surprised at the community you find. If you’re struggling with where to start, follow our?LinkedIn for Creators ?page for content inspiration, tips, news, education and more. And if you’d like to recommend someone for a future Top Voices list, let us know in the comments (just be sure to tag them and let us know why you love following them). We’re always looking for new individuals to highlight.

Who would you recommend for a future LinkedIn Top Voices list? Let us know in the comments section below by tagging them and sharing why you enjoy following them.