455. A Conversation About Mental Health in the Nonprofit Sector - Sonya Perez-Lauterbach, Kirk Brown, Lindsay Kolsch, and Paige Chenault Lohoefer

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Overview

If left unaddressed, we believe mental health is one of the most silent, debilitating, and dangerous threats to the nonprofit sector today. And let’s face it - it’s simply not discussed enough. This discussion is about lifting the stigma and approaching the conversation square on with a diverse panel of nonprofit professionals and clinical experts who bring a depth of lived experiences, personal and professional research, and clarity of purpose. You’re not alone. Join us in community and feel seen, inspired and ready to take steps toward healing.

Today’s Guests

Sonya Perez-Lauterbach, Leadership Coach + Principal, splCoaching
Lindsay Kolsch, Co-Executive Director, To Write Love on Her Arms
Kirk Brown, CEO, HANDY Inc.
Paige Chenault Lohoefer, Founder, The Birthday Party Project

“It just needs to be known that it’s okay to be human.”

— Lindsay Kolsch, Co-Executive Director, To Write Love on Her Arms

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

The state of mental health in the nonprofit sector (3:10)

Unique factors of mental health in the nonprofit sector (6:15)
Building communities of care (10:00)
How to create a flexible workplace culture and environment (20:15)
Modeling the importance of mental health (27:20)
Tips for prioritizing health (30:45)
What supporting your team looks like in real-time (35:50)
How using your voice can build community (39:00)
One Good Thing (41:20)

“This is our moment to lean in and change the story of how we work.” -Sonya
“Being normal has never changed anything.” -Kirk
“Show up for yourself, and then keep showing up for yourself.” -Lindsay
“What is mine to do?” -Paige

Powerful quotes

“I have to fill up my cup so that I have the ability to show up for the people around me.” -Sonia

Sometimes our computer slows down and we're like, I need a reboot, but we don't give that to ourselves.” -Sonia

“People need other people.” -Lindsay

“People do not want to be fixed, they want to be seen.” -Lindsay

“When people are willing to walk with you through the hardest things. Even if you don't have hope, it shows you that somebody is holding hope for you.” -Lindsay

“We have systems in place that allow us to make sure everyone feels seen and known and celebrated.” -Paige

“We celebrate our wins the same ways that we celebrate our failures because our failures are what leads to the next best or the great step.” -Paige

“Failure is inevitably the F word in nonprofit and we have to get rid of that. Because failure is learning we are learning as we're growing and we cannot be stigmatized by it.” -Becky

I do believe the strength of a good leader is based on the wounds of his team and their ability to really analyze and see those wounds and also impact wellness as an initiative.” -Kirk

“If we do believe that wellness adds to worth, then we must plan for it.” -Kirk

“There's this idea that when we give all of ourselves to our nonprofit, that's when our best shines. But, I actually think that the magic happens when we give our best selves to our nonprofit.” -Paige

“Our ethos is that we're better together and not one person can do all of the things.” -Paige

“When we're anxious and burned out and exhausted, we're not actually able to use our full brain.” -Sonia

“Stop celebrating people pushing through and being wounded on the job. Send people home to rest.” -Kirk

“It just needs to be known that it's okay to be human.” -Lindsay

“You are worthy of rest. You are worthy of self-care. You are worthy of working in a mission that cares for you as much as we do for the people that we are serving.” -Becky