Mental health: time to break this taboo!

Twelve years ago I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Overcoming this disorder also made me more aware of the importance of ending the stigma and discrimination of those who are going through this moment.

At the time, I was at the peak of my physical health and in one of my best professional moments. I felt like a superhero. But in reality, I now see that I ignored the signs that something was not right, I hesitated to ask for help and talk about it for fear of showing weakness. It was then that my brain decided to intervene and give me a warning. In the space of twenty-four hours, I experienced a sequence of three panic attacks. The first happened early in the morning at the first work meeting, when I got up to pour myself a coffee, I felt dizzy, shortness of breath, and an increased heart rate. I managed to lay down on the floor and experienced a rapid loss of consciousness. I did not understand what was happening. I had several physical exams and nothing had come up. As my doctor dug deeper, she diagnosed me with anxiety disorder and I started a psychological treatment.

During my healing process, I learned to identify the signs that could have helped me to seek preventive treatment, but which I unfortunately underestimated. Despite the clear signs, I didn't want to admit that something was wrong. I showed signs of irritability, restlessness, hyperactivity, and progressive loss of sleep. With psychological help and therapy sessions, I found that the trauma caused by the loss of two loved ones in a short period of time, combined with an instinctive reaction to block feelings, paved the way for the anxiety disorder to take root. But it was from this discovery that I started the healing journey. Since I started talking openly about the topic and researching to understand the causes and effects, I was surprised with all the support and tolerance I received and found out that problems associated with mental health are more common than we imagine.

OMS data reports that Brazil is the most anxious country in the world and the fifth most depressed. In the United States, one in four adults experience symptoms of mental illness and 18% of the adult population has some type of anxiety disorder. The incidence is even higher in young people, vulnerable communities, and people with chronic illnesses. Mental illnesses cost the global economy an estimated $1 TRILLION per year.

In companies, mental illnesses generate a high level of absenteeism, loss of productivity, and increase the costs of health insurance, not to mention that mental health is also a determinant of chronic physical illnesses. For every $1 invested in wellness and prevention programs, $4 of cost is avoided. Companies have a fundamental role in facing this health crisis, currently only one in five have an in-house prevention and treatment program.

What can we do to face the current scenario? To start, break the taboo around the topic. The mental health issue is not a weakness. We must stop idolizing "superhero" myths within corporations and focus on mechanisms that create psychological safety and better work-life balance. We have to look for systemic solutions based on data and science. We must redesign the workflow in a way that people are able to be their best version within healthy levels of expectations. One idea is to implement policies that support the most vulnerable groups of people, especially women, who face the challenge of reconciling multiple roles. We have to foster a humanized leadership whose main competence is empathy.

At Alpargatas, for example, we launched a campaign with psychologists for a weekly chat on the topic. We talked openly and fostered a receptive and understanding environment, as well as, encouraged the team to engage in practices that lead to self-discovery, like yoga sessions. But we know that the journey is long, and have a lot to do as we continue to search for preventive solutions and tackle any incidence of mental health.

On my healing journey, I looked for and received help. I had the privilege of being accepted and supported by my family, friends, and the company I was at. My manager at the time gave me all the time and flexibility I required to get the most out and take the treatment. The HR area gave me access to specialized therapy and accompanied me throughout the process. What for many might be considered a weakness, my journey of healing and self-awareness has made me a more humane and effective leader. It's time to break the taboo, demystify the superhero mentality and foster conversations and tolerance in the corporate environment.