WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #100: Reflections on 100 Weeks of Writing

This is the 100^th Wellness Wednesday, which means I’ve been writing about mental health issues for 100 straight weeks. And it’s fair to say it’s changed me and my mindset in a few important ways.

1. The stigma around mental health in my life is gone. I understand better the physiological, emotional and other factors that can create difficult mental health situations for individuals. And I’m more open than ever before to listening to what people are walking through.
2. I’m more sensitive to my own mental health – when my anxiety is ramping up, when I’m out of sorts, when I need a rest.
3. I’m more hopeful for people who are struggling. There is help out there, and more coming. We just have to start by talking about it.
4. I’m grateful to ICBA Wellness, Corey Hirsch, and other mental health advocates for the amazing work they do, and to high-profile people who talk more openly about these issues.

Wherever you are in your mental health journey today, I hope you find peace and joy, and that our work at ICBA Wellness inspires you to talk (and listen) more.

Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 90 companies and nearly 10,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.