“Not acknowledging that millions are dealing with mental health conditions is costing an enormous amount both in terms of dollars and cents and, more importantly, people's lives."
Arianna Huffington
Mental Health at Work Mini-Conference, May 2018
"I personally would like to thank Mind Share Partners for all of your support of this ERG and community from the very beginning when we were unsure, driven, and quite a bit scared on launching something that would make us so vulnerable. You provided resources and insight that gave us direction, hope, and reminded us that what we were creating would matter to our peers. To which, you were right. I'm thankful for Mind Share Partners, what you stand for and all that you're creating in this new area of diversity, inclusion, and belonging."
"After the Mind Share Partners conference, we created our own Mental Health Fund, since our health insurance excludes it, and talked about it so our team knew we had their back and they'd be covered for emergency care for suicidal thoughts, etc.
It's a start. Stigma runs deep. It's good that [Mind Share Partners] is helping workplaces talk about it!"
Just launched! Join our Mind Share Partners Institute certificate program.
Just launched! Join our Mind Share Partners Institute certificate program.
Get a roadmap for your mental health strategy and earn 10 SHRM PDCs! Register for our Institute>
Be kind
What we speak, write, and portray should have a positive impact on others.
Be forgiving
We want to encourage change, not be punitive or hostile. Avoid shaming people or companies for not doing well yet.
Be real
Mental health is a deeply personal experience, but there’s no need to sensationalize to get a reaction or clicks. As a community, we seek to normalize what mental health at work really looks like.
Be open
Embrace the full spectrum of mental health. From the chronically stressed to those with the most severe cases--we’re all in it together.
Welcome to the Mind Share Partners community.
Mental health remains a topic too often left undiscussed, especially in the workplace setting. We’re excited to have you as an ally in our movement as we transform the culture of mental health at work.
The Mind Share Partners community is one that fosters open dialogue, transparency, empathy, kindness, and high performance. It is a place for people to be real with their mental health conditions while also sharing invaluable stories and experiences as well as productive skills and strategies around workplace mental health.
As a member of this community, we hope that you feel safe to share and empowered to lift others up. Together, we can create a digital space of shared learning and support around mental health at work.
I. COMMUNITY VALUES
Show up as a peer
While some of us may have clinical expertise, please don’t diagnose people online or tell them what medicine to take or type of therapy to pursue. Sharing tips and tricks that worked for you is welcome. But be mindful of the difference between personal experience, evidence-based practices, and professional support.
Use language conscientiously
The words that we use have a subtle but meaningful influence on the way we think and talk about mental health conditions. In our experience, some words work better than others to avoid negative stereotypes, preconceptions, or misinformation. Choose “normalize” over “destigmatize.” Choose “condition” over “illness” or “issue.” Avoid saying “crazy” or “sane.”
II. THE NITTY-GRITTY
Respect others’ privacy
Our stories may include experiences with other people with mental health conditions, but disclosure of their condition should always be that individual’s choice. Reference others only by their job title, role, or relationship to you--i.e. "My boss, my colleague, my HR rep." The same goes for companies and other entities as well. Reference entities by a general descriptor like “My tech company”--not by name.
III. THE OBVIOUS
Don't post spam and advertisements.
Don't make intolerant or prejudiced comments.
(e.g., sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, anti-religion, or political in nature)
Don't post inappropriate content including and not limited to
profanity, pornography, violence, drug paraphernalia, and more.
Don't make personal attacks or threats on community members.
Don't suggest any harmful actions, including and not limited to illegal activities, violence, etc.
