We continue our new blog and social media series, Work Through It Wednesday. These short, one-minute or so motivations feature a quote, a little insight, and three brief strategies to engage to help you work through the challenge and emerge victoriously.

Today’s feature: Don’t Suffer in Silence (tribute to Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain)

Read on, or listen to the expanded descriptions of the three strategies by listening to the audio:

For better or worse, I’ve had a tendency in the past to turn inward when facing tough challenges, needing the time and space to sort through the trials and tribulations, emerging from the fog when a solution appeared, or the situation subsided on its own. I do life a bit differently now and reach out to a few trusted allies with whom I can safely share my burdens. It has been so very liberating.

In a society that celebrates being overly self-reliant, placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves, and eschewing the value of taking time off from work to (wait for it!) do nothing, it is very easy to cover our pain, ignore the warning signs and assume that others cannot understand the depth of our plight.

Recently, America has lost two icons who were leaders in their industries: Fashion designer and innovator Kate Spade, and fearless epicurean and world traveler Anthony Bourdain. While they had different career trajectories, they sadly had one thing in common: deep depression that led them to take their own lives.

 

It is difficult to work through the dark thoughts that plague us sometimes, but I offer up these three suggestions for using workplace resources to help you through the hardships that we go through in life:

• Explore help through your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The program, often outsourced to specialized professionals, works with employees dealing with depression, alcoholism, domestic violence, opioid abuse, and identity issues. Start with your human resources department, who can refer you to a provider.
• Engage an accountability coach or partner. Seek out someone you can trust to hold your issues in confidence, who will also nudge you to address the issues and help boost your self-confidence.
• Utilize resources outside of the workplace to help you. Sometimes it is difficult to confess our shortcomings and fears to co-workers or family members. There are many free and accessible resources that allow you to remain anonymous while providing support and encouragement.

I just want you to work through it and not suffer in silence!

Resources

Get Help

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline
(800) 273-8255

Agencies, Organizations and Associations (National and Local Resources)
American Psychiatric Association: Workplace Mental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mental Health America
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Other Resources
13 Helpful Books about Depression from Health Magazine
Seven Podcasts for Mental Health by Dr. Pragya Agarwal

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Leave a reply and let us know how you plan to #WorkThroughIt.

About the Blogger: Kesi Stribling

DISCLAIMER: Since its original debut on MySpace in 2004 as Midweek Musings, ASK THE STRATEGIST is a blog that highlights information on business, entrepreneurship, careers and the workplace, health, community, and women. Any content or advice dispensed through Ask The Strategist is solely for informational and entertainment purposes. All content, unless otherwise noted, is the property of Ask the Strategist and its affiliates, and may not be re-published without express written permission from the Editor.