Everyone has a story.
Every story has a place.
“Mental health” has been a topic of interest in recent years, revealing deep-seated societal stigmas and judgements. The misunderstanding and shame around mental health have prevented people from getting help, let alone enjoy career advancement or lead a full life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that at least 1 in 4 people will experience a mental or neurological problem at some time in their lives. That’s 450 MILLION humans who struggle with finding the ways to heal.
My name is Bonny Llyn, and I was one of them – as are (and were) some of the biggest names in history. From Nikola Tesla to Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Winston Churchill, Georgia O’Keefe, J.K. Rowling, Michael Phelps, and so many more. No one is immune to mental health issues. Mark Twain, who lived with a bipolar diagnosis, said: “When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.”
The discovery of neurodiversity was my turning point. The neurodivergent population, AKA, those with more significant physical brain differences that contribute to different mental functions, needs advocacy – and my mission is to make a difference, particularly when it comes to fully utilizing these people’s talents at work.
Neurodiversity at the workplace MUST be included in the Diversity dialogue to ensure a truly Diverse and Inclusive work culture.
According to Human Resource Executive, there has been a 26% increase in the number of organizations offering mental health coverage. Coffee giant Starbucks expanded its mental health offerings recently, stating its mission to break the mental health stigma and provide employees with the support they need – which we now know has a hugely positive impact on employee retention.
A focus on mental health fosters a more inclusive workplace culture, increases engagement and lowers employee turnover. Companies worldwide already focusing on mental health in the workplace have seen the positive results firsthand, with more productivity that reflects in the bottom line. Innovative companies like these build a strong competitive edge that’s invaluable in the eyes of worthy candidates. They have been proven to not only attract more quality talent, but retain them as well.
Mental health and depression at the workplace are serious issues that lack sufficient focus in today’s world. We now know just how many people suffer from compromised mental health, whether or not they recognize it. They feel afraid or even ashamed to speak up, causing problems for the employee, as well as their company. WHO research shows that anxiety and depression cost the global economy over $1 trillion a year.
Harvard Business Review has discussed presenteeism at length – the concept of being there, but not quite being there. In other words, not fully functioning. Presenteeism costs companies – big time – as much as twice absenteeism.
Productivity-loss is a silent killer of organizations worldwide, and the solution is simple – support the mental well-being of your workforce. In fact, some of the most gifted minds on your team are perhaps the most vulnerable to anxiety, high sensitivity, and intense emotions, even though they could be either charismatic or awkward at social interactions. As the result of the current culture, these people are often misunderstood and underutilized, when what they need is to be fully supported to reach their full potential.
Workplaces today have a responsibility to support the mental health of their workers, which has been proven through studies to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity, service delivery, and recruitment.
I want to carry the global workforce into a future where they can feel confident in their contribution, convictions, and mental well-being. Together, we can create a space where we can start conversations, where we talk about our neurodiversity and share natural solutions – solutions that offer alternatives to meds and therapy. Not instead of, but in addition to.
Research shows that small investments in mental health education, screening, and treatment offer huge productivity rewards – making the investment cost miniscule in the long-run.
I want to tell you my story.
I am passionate about traveling to institutions just like yours and presenting my life’s work to teams big and small. After exploring 35+ healing modalities and personal growth methods, diet, and more, I found the solution to being successful while managing my depression efficiently. I want to share more about my experience, in – “A Journey from Depression to Radiance.”
It took me hitting rock bottom to find the tools I needed to not just stand back up, but to reach the top. I want to show your team more about curiosity and its power to cut through depression, along with the importance of Neurodiversity – understanding that brain differences can, and SHOULD, be celebrated. By understanding, respecting, and supporting these nuances and variations, we can break stigmatic misconception on mental health and build a stronger, healthier work culture when it comes to mental wellbeing of their teams.
To book Bonny Llyn to speak at your workplace or next event, call to secure your spot now before space fills up!