Turning The Tables
Episodes
Sunday Aug 22, 2021
Sunday Aug 22, 2021
The final episode in the three-part mini-series on mental health features my guest, agency leader, entrepreneur, and now mental health campaigner Michelle Morgan.
"I just cried and thought - I can't go on, I cannot go on, I can't do one more thing."
As a business leader, what do you do when struggling with your mental health?
And how do you deal with the stigma that still exists in the workplace around mental health?
"I got this throwaway comment - it's a bit awkward when you talk about your mental health to the business Michelle "
Behind the success of many leaders, there is a story of vulnerability and self-doubt. Michelle's story is one of a committed, high-achieving agency founder who, behind the success, was carrying deep feelings of shame and anxiety.
Ultimately, this culminated in a dramatic physical and mental burnout, leading to her step away from the business that had been her baby for nearly 20 years.
The workplace conversations and stigma that resulted from her mental health crisis were to play a big part in Michelle's future career direction.
Michelle is now an ambassador for the Mental Health First Aid organization, a mental health first aid instructor, and founder of Pjoys, a pyjama business born out of her mental health struggle.
In this episode, we talk about;
How a traumatic childhood where her father repeatedly left home contributed to feelings of abandonment and shame.
Despite her business success, how Michelle found it hard to put any boundaries around her work commitments.
The events that lead up to her burnout and diagnosis of clinical depression.
And finally, how her experiences are being put to positive use, promoting mental health in the workplace, in her new Pjoys pyjama business, and in writing a book to be published later in the year - titled "Own your Awkward.'
You can contact Michelle at Pjoys or through LinkedIn.
You can pre-order a copy of Michelle's book Own your awkward here
Once again, I would like to thank The Alliance of Independent Agencies, who are partnering with Turning The Tables on this mini-series.
The Alliance is an organisation that takes the mental health and wellbeing of people in agencies seriously. Their Wellbeing Action Group promotes the importance of creating safe environments and building people's resilience.
https://allindependentagencies.org/
You can share your experiences about this episode on the
Turning the Tables podcast community page on Facebook.
And on Instagram TurningtheTablespodcast
Episode Credits
Editor and sound engineer: Tim White email: showupnow@gmail.com
Host: Simon Ratcliffe
Music:
Broken Elegance -Unconditionally
River Meditation - Audioautix
When I'm gone LiQWYD
Scott Buckley - Life is
AB5 Piano strings - Tim White
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Dr Liz Miller has been at the sharp end of the journey from mental health prejudice to enlightenment.
A one-off, Liz Miller was the first woman in neurosurgery in the UK, a physician, campaigner, and writer noted for her outspoken mental health views and someone who has lived with bipolar disorder for much of her life.
Liz was sectioned three times but has come through to manage her condition without medication, relying on nutrition and psychological strategies she has developed from her research.
There is no doubt Liz has a unique view of the world of mental health from both the suffers and neurology perspectives.
Featuring in Stephen Fry's groundbreaking documentary, The secret life of a manic depressive, Liz played a part in the shift in perceptions and attitudes towards people suffering from depression and mental health issues.
In 2008 she was voted Mind Champion of the Year by public poll for her work in the Doctors Support Network, a support group for people in the medical profession with mental health challenges. Yes, mental disorders have no boundaries!
In our wide-ranging discussion, we talk about:
The neurology of depression
How despite being part of the medical profession how Liz suffered prejudice because of her Bipolar condition
Her experience working with Stephen Fry on the programme
The strategies and coping mechanisms she has developed and published, based on her mood mapping research.
And finally, Liz's advice to people living with mental health challenges.
I would like to thank The Alliance of Independent Agencies, who are partnering with Turning The Tables on this mini-series.
The Alliance are an organisation that take the mental health and wellbeing of people in agencies seriously. Their Wellbeing Action Group promotes the importance of creating safe environments and building people's resilience.
They even have an annual Festival of Happiness as well as promoting training for Mental First Aid Champions. If only every industry had this kind of support!
https://allindependentagencies.org/
You can contact Dr Liz Miller via email: liz.miller901@me.com
Liz Miller book reference; Mood Mapping: Plot your way to emotional health and happiness
Share your experiences about this episode on the
Turning the Tables podcast community page on Facebook.
And on Instagram TurningtheTablespodcast
Episode Credits
Editor and sound engineer: Tim White email: showupnow@gmail.com
Host: Simon Ratcliffe
Music:
Broken Elegance -Unconditionally
River Meditation - Audioautix
When I'm gone LiQWYD
Scott Buckley - Life is
AB5 Piano strings - Tim White