Mental health: shall we talk about it?
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‘Taking care of yourself is not a form of selfishness. It is an essential act of self-preservation. And this self-preservation is an act of militancy.’ — Audre Lorde
Before we begin…
Why aren’t young people, who are greatly affected by mental health issues and loneliness, given more support, awareness and training in their studies on topics such as caring for others and stress management?
The good news is that more and more of us are talking about these issues, taking action and supporting institutions, schools and businesses on these topics.
So yes, it’s a long process, it’s frustrating, and I often get angry when I see how little priority is given to ecology – both personal and planetary – but I’ve decided to keep moving forward and do my part with those who want to make a difference, starting by taking care of themselves and their ecosystem.
Some telling (and chilling) figures
2.5 million people will be suffering from burnout in France in 2024 (including more than 800,000 with severe burnout — source: Baromètre Empreinte Humaine)
1 in 2 employees say they are in psychological distress
1 in 3 executives is considering taking time off or changing careers
Sick leave due to mental health issues has skyrocketed by 30% in 3 years
Loneliness affects 1 in 5 young people… even in the workplace
This is no longer a minor phenomenon. It is a collective malaise. And a message. That something is wrong with the way we live, produce and organise ourselves.
Zoom — Mental health: what exactly are we talking about?
Mental health is not just the absence of disorder. It is the ability to feel, think, interact and cope with life. It encompasses:
· mental health (our thoughts),
· emotional health (our feelings),
· relational health (our connections to others).
It is a living balance. Sometimes fragile. And that’s normal.
But in concrete terms, what are we talking about? Here are some of the most common mental health disorders:
Anxiety disorders: panic attacks, generalised anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc.
Depression: fatigue, loss of interest, sluggishness, sleep or appetite disorders, dark thoughts, etc.
Post-traumatic stress: chronic tension following a shock, harassment, assault, etc.
Sleep disorders: insomnia, frequent waking, persistent fatigue, impact on concentration, etc.
Eating disorders or addictions: often linked to deep psychological distress.
Burnout, or professional exhaustion, resulting from chronic stress at work that has not been properly managed. It may be accompanied by depression, but not always.
According to Santé Publique France, 1 in 5 people will suffer from a mental disorder during their lifetime. And yet, screening remains insufficient, and people are still reluctant to talk about it for fear of being judged.
Gaining a better understanding of these realities is already a step towards providing better care.
Stress and our fragile mental states don’t just come out of nowhere. There are reasons behind them.
We live in an exhausting, changing, individualistic society that is losing its meaning. Constant acceleration, hyper-connection to screens, information overload, pressure to perform… …and disconnection from ourselves, others and nature.
We work too much, sleep too little, eat too quickly, and no longer breathe. And all this in an anxiety-inducing climate: climate crisis, economic uncertainty, political tensions.
In the workplace? Same picture: contradictory demands, mental overload, lack of meaning.
In short: a perfect breeding ground for burnout.
So what about burnout?
Burnout is not just ‘being tired’ or ‘fed up’. It is total physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged chronic stress, often related to work. It is not a sign of individual weakness. It is a logical consequence of an environment that pushes us to excess, without any room for recovery.
It sets in gradually, often without warning:
· You sleep poorly.
· You feel empty, irritable, detached.
· You lose interest, even in things you used to enjoy.
· You feel incapable, useless, isolated.
Burnout is when you keep giving… even though you have nothing left to give. And often, you only stop when you collapse.
It is therefore essential to learn to recognise the signs, both in ourselves and in others.
Here is a mini self-assessment for you to try! Just to see if it’s time to slow down and seek support.
Breaking out of our exhaustion patterns
Exhaustion doesn’t just come from external pressures. It is also internalised.
In my stress management training courses, we work a lot on our beliefs. We quickly realise that our number one stressor is… ourselves! Or rather, our thoughts!
Damn mind!
We have grown up with deep-rooted, sometimes invisible beliefs that push us to do too much, never stop, and take everything on ourselves. These deeply ingrained beliefs trap us in patterns of over-adaptation, perfectionism, or sacrifice.
Here are a few that we encounter (too) often:
· ‘I have to be useful to deserve my place.’ “
· ‘If I slow down, I’ll fall behind.’
· ‘If I say no, I’m selfish.’
· ‘If I ask for help, I’m weak and unprofessional.’
· ‘Taking breaks and resting means I’m lazy.’
· ‘If I’m doing well, it’s because I haven’t worked hard enough.’
Breaking free from these systems is an act of lucidity and freedom. And it can change everything.
Of course, it’s not easy, because most corporate cultures tend to value and nurture these beliefs or those who are part of these hyper-productive systems… to the detriment of their health. We therefore need support to break free from our systems: training, coaching, psychotherapy, etc.
Good mental health also requires deep personal work.
And sometimes, it’s our internal chemistry that causes problems, in which case the help of a psychiatrist and medication can also be a solution.
In any case, don’t stay alone, ask for help.
Mental health first aid training: a powerful tool
We all know how to respond to bleeding or feeling unwell. But what do we do when someone breaks down in tears? When they can’t get up? When they talk about ending it all?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training enables you to:
· identify warning signs,
· listen without judgement,
· refer them to the right resources,
· better understand disorders (burnout, depression, anxiety, etc.).
Because knowing what to say or not to say can sometimes make all the difference.
Let’s also talk about psychosocial risks — and corporate responsibility
Psychosocial risks (or PSRs) are not inevitable. They are well-identified factors contributing to stress, discomfort and exhaustion: excessive workload, lack of recognition, conflicting values, unclear roles, isolation, etc.
And they do not only affect individuals. They also engage the responsibility of the organisation.
The company has an essential role to play in:
· raising employee awareness of the effects of stress,
· training managers to protect themselves and take care of their teams,
· creating a culture of listening and shared vigilance,
· identifying weak signals before it is too late.
Preventing psychosocial risks is not a matter of comfort. It is a matter of human, collective and organisational intelligence.
Companies have a strong responsibility in these areas, as well as legal obligations. Training and care workshops, occupational doctors and psychologists, prevention plans, etc.
Don’t hesitate to ask your HR department for information on the measures that have been put in place.
The good news is that we can learn to regulate ourselves.
There is a philosophy, that of care, which can help us heal our sick world and, in particular, our relationship with work.
First, regain a healthy relationship with time! Time has become one of the main sources of stress. It even has a name, ‘chrono-stress’: everything is moving too fast, we don’t have time to do everything, we’re rushing around, the pressure is mounting. So we need to regain control of our time. Slow down, breathe, listen to yourself, set boundaries. I talked about time in one of my first newsletters, ‘Time, that bastard!’, which you can (re)discover here.
Learn to regulate your stress. Because stress will never go away, but we can learn to calm it. Why is this essential? Because a stressed brain is a brain that doesn’t function properly. We can no longer memorise, concentrate or empathise. We are no longer really present.
Not only does chronic stress make us ill, it also diminishes us.
Learning to calm it means regaining your full potential. There are tools to help you regain control, energy and clarity! Breathe, centre yourself, be silent, go out into nature. Breathing and meditation apps and programmes, yoga and sophrology classes, etc. There are valuable aids available to help you take care of your nervous system! Go and explore! And again, get some support!
Learn to manage your energy over time. Recharge your batteries, focus your energy where it’s right for you, recharge yourself, know your resources and listen to your body…!! It’s always the judge of peace!
That’s the secret: reconnecting with your BODY! It knows what’s right for you.
Mini mental recovery kit
3 simple steps to calm your nervous system:
1. Cardiac coherence breathing — 6 breaths per minute for 5 minutes (I count 5 seconds on the inhale, 5 seconds on the exhale).
2. Micro-disconnection — 1 hour without your phone per day
3. Express grounding — Feet on the ground, back straight, breathe, 1 minute of silence
Mini-test: am I suffering from burnout?
Here are a few simple questions to help you identify whether you might be suffering from exhaustion:
· Do you feel extremely tired, even after resting?
· Have you lost all enthusiasm for your work (or whatever motivated you)?
· Do you have trouble concentrating or making decisions?
· Do you feel irritable, detached, or drained?
· Do you have unexplained physical pain, sleep disturbances, or a weakened immune system?
If you answered ‘yes’ to several of these questions, it may be time to slow down, talk to those around you, and consult a professional: doctor, psychologist, therapist, stress management coach, etc.
What we are experiencing is not an individual crisis. It is a call to fundamentally rethink the way we work, organise ourselves and take care of ourselves and others.
It’s not about adding another layer of well-being. It’s about giving space back to life, to breathing, to connection. And that often starts with a simple awareness.
Thank you for being one of those who want to make a difference. Even if it’s just small steps.
Take care of yourself and your mental health.
Alice
MOJOM CORPORATE TRAINING
Would you like to introduce a care programme in your company? I can support you with tailor-made training courses, conferences or workshops. Because caring is not a luxury. It is an urgent necessity.