Recently, I spoke with my mom about returning to work after a long medical leave she took to heal. My mom, a Black woman in the Caribbean single mother of 3 adult children has worked since she was 15yrs as a cleaner, is used to working hard and rarely complains.
I expected her to talk about adjusting to the routine again, and the glory of her independence but her response took me by surprise.
She looked at me and said, “I don’t want to go back. My co-workers will tease me. They’ll say I left because my head’s not right. I don’t want to go back to that.”
Hearing this, I was unprepared for the pain in her words. – I exhaled.
My mother, who has always been so strong, was telling me she fears bullying at her own workplace—a place that should feel safe and supportive. And guilty of her own share of mischief 🫠 She’s not fully well yet, and the thought of going back to an environment where she could be judged or ridiculed for needing time to heal has left her dreading the return.
Workplaces can be spaces where employees feel supported, not places where someone’s need for healing is met with stigma. 💚💚💚
Her story shines a light on a larger issue:
when mental health struggles are misunderstood, those who take time to recover can become targets of judgment instead of compassion.💚💚💚
Three Ways to Prevent Bullying and Support
Mental Health in the Workplace, so that even the cleaners can understand 💚💚💚
1. Let everyone know that bullying and teasing are not allowed.
2. Talk openly about mental health so people understand it’s okay to take time to heal.
3. Show kindness and support to coworkers, especially those going through hard times.
P.S. Have you or a loved one experienced bullying at work or school? Let’s talk.
hashtag#leadership hashtag#inclusion hashtag#culture hashtag#mentalhealthatwork hashtag#MCH hashtag#micheleina
Mental health is a shared responsibility
