87: Noticing the Signs of Mental Health Challenges In Yourself & Your Employees
May is mental health awareness month so I knew I wanted to have a few shows dedicated to our emotions. As business owners and business leaders mental health challenges can effect productivity, teamwork, and create some hurdles for leaders. I invited David Macfarlane and Jennifer Dobberfuhl-Quinlan, mental health experts, on the show to show us the signs to look for in employees and coworkers along with how to address it if productivity or behavioral changes are present.
On this show, we talk about how to know if you need professional help, how mental health struggles affect the workplace, how to notice the signs in others and how to approach someone at work that may be struggling. Mental health challenges doesn't have to hold you back - and great companies are leading the way in finding safe ways to have these conversations at work.
Key things I loved (There were so many it was hard to choose four):
David mentioning how we can do our part to remove the stigma of mental health.
Jennifer providing a peaceful and effective way to reach out to a team member or employee that will lead to a safe conversation: hint, it's not telling someone you've noticed their behavior is off..
David saying, "You are worthy of healing." What a beautiful thought.
Jennifer sharing the crisis text line (details below) for those who need immediate help.
About David Macfarlane
Co-Founder & CEO
David grew up in Colorado and is now raising his family in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah. He experienced significant trauma in his childhood, has wrestled with addiction, and has been on a lifetime journey to recover and to ensure a better upbringing for his own children. David has found healing with the help of skilled counselors and by embracing the principles of traditional 12-step programs, including trusting God, forgiving others, and giving service. He is a firm believer that anyone with a desire to recover can recover and find a better life than they thought possible.
David holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in instructional psychology and technology, both from Brigham Young University. His professional life has included roles as a teacher, trainer, product manager, and program administrator. He has also served in various public and church service capacities. He made the choice to shift his career into the mental health field because he is determined to help others find healing.
About Jennifer Dobberfuhl-Quinlan, Ph. D
Co-Founder & Program Director
A Wisconsin native, graduate of University of Wisconsin and Brigham Young University, Jennifer grew up in a large family with 4 brothers and one sister. She has always found great strength and connection through family ties. As a young child, she experienced sexual trauma which continued on through her college years. Over time, she found healing and recovery through a variety of eastern and western therapeutic interventions. In addition to her personal journey, several of her family members and close friends have been affected by traumas, addiction, and mental illness.
When Jennifer entered a residential treatment center for suicidality, she returned home and found the gap between residential and “normal” life to be overwhelming. This simulated in her a desire to increase access to education and intensive therapeutic programming. Though she had worked in education, program administration, and foreign language learning for decades, Jennifer decided to change career paths. Seeking to bridge the gap she felt so deeply in her recovery, her hope is that clients will find this programming meaningful, inspiring, and life changing for their own paths to healing and recovery.
Learn more about David and Jennifer and their practice Hope Recovery and Healing at www.hoperecoveryandhealing.com
If you know that you could use additional help here are some resources for you.
1. www.hoperecoveryandhealing.com These folks have a number of articles and resources for anyone that may just want to poke around. They only serve clients in the state of Utah, but they have a number of online classes and events that may interest you regardless of where you are located.
2. Jennifer mentioned a texting service you can text ANY time you might need to reach out to someone. Text HOME to 74174 It's a 24-7 crisis line where you can be connected to a live crisis counselor. You can also call the Utah Crisis Line 800-273-TALK
3. If you liked this conversation, you'll likely also like this article by Sana Iftikhar, Behavioral Psychologist https://www.hoperecoveryandhealing.com/post/are-your-employees-or-co-workers-struggling She's one of the trained professionals that also works at Hope Recovery and Healing.