When “We Care About Mental Health” Isn’t Enough

All too frequently we talk about resilience, productivity, and success — but rarely about the days when simply getting through the morning feels like an achievement.

Depression isn’t a lack of strength or ambition. It’s a quiet weight that sits behind even the most confident smiles, the sharpest minds, and the hardest-working professionals.

For me, the hardest part has always been the invisibility of it — the way you can perform at 90% while feeling like you’re surviving at 10%. The emails still go out, the meetings still happen, but underneath, the energy it takes to hold everything together can be exhausting. In short; something has to give - all too frequently it does - often with tragic or life changing results, not only for the person affected, but their wider family and friends. 

The truth is, our workplaces often celebrate resilience without recognising the factors that led to a recovery being necessary - by that time it is too late. We applaud bouncing back, but not the courage it takes to say, “I’m struggling.” Yet that honesty — that moment of transparency — can change everything. It opens the door to empathy, support, and the kind of leadership that values people over performance.

Too many organisations say the right things — they post about World Mental Health Day, run a campaign, pepper their social media feeds with slogan friendly posts maybe even a webinar — but when someone actually needs help, the silence is deafening. Similarly, organisations can bang the drum about "inclusivity" and "our culture being supportive" all too often (and not too far from the board room) that message gets lost.

We don’t talk about mental health at work because somewhere along the line, vulnerability became synonymous with weakness. We’re conditioned to smile, say we’re “fine,” and keep producing — even when we’re running on empty. Fear of judgement, career impact, or simply being seen as “less capable” keeps too many people quiet.

Culture isn’t built in slogans or social posts. It’s built in the small, mundane human moments — how we treat people when they’re not okay. Real leadership isn’t about polished wellbeing statements; it’s about creating an environment where someone can say “I’m struggling” without fear of consequences.

If you’re in a dark place right now, please know this: you are not broken, and you are not alone. Depression doesn’t define your capability, your kindness, or your potential. It’s a chapter — not your story.

Let’s normalise asking for help. Let’s check in on each other not just when deadlines loom, but when the silence gets loud. And let’s build workplaces where mental health isn’t a PR exercise — but a genuine priority.

Because every mind matters.

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