Michigan Medicine’s Post

Things can change in a second ..

#PennNursing's Sara Jacoby’s NINR-funded research explores how social, environmental, and economic factors impact Black patients' risk of serious injury, care experience, and recovery. Watch the video to learn more about her vital work: https://lnkd.in/eCkQ5W5F.

My condolenses to Dr. Candia Bailey's family and friends. No job is worth your life. I say this as someone who has left a few organizations due to toxicity and just horrid bullying. I wish I could say reaching out to HR is a step but not always, HR is there to manage risk from the company side. If you are experiencing bullying and harrassment, please reach out to a mental health practioner or a trusted advisor. You've worked too hard to stay and work with people that create horrid work environments. We need more bystanders, those with political captial and authority to step in but too often they fail us because they are also afraid of the bully. My heart breaks when I see educated women subjected to this treatment. We can do better, we need to stand up for each other and speak truth to power. It will only get better if we create transparency and a safer space for bystanders to stand up and against this. If you are experiencing any of this today, please reach out to someone. I am here to help you through it and find alternative resources. Life is too precious to waste on narcissist indivduals. We can all do better.

Dear Black girl, From a young age you are told you can be and do anything you desire. You sing and believe the catchy song that, "anything you (men) can do I can do better." You are told that you possess a magic that can shatter any metaphorical or systemic glass ceiling that exist, but at what cost? Recent events are a constant reminder of how difficult, overwhelming, and traumatic the climb up the corporate latter can be. There are countless stories depicting the disproportionate effects of professional #stress on Black women in America. Unfortunately, these continuous stressors have taken a toll on the overall health and well-being of Black women. Compared to their counterparts, Black women are generally at a higher risk of for a host of chronic health conditions from cardiovascular diseases to preterm births and maternal morbidity. This morning I have come to the conclusion that Black women in executive and senior positions in America, might be a public health issue. And as a professional Black woman, with professional Black sisters, and professional Black friends, this is heart-breaking. So what is the remedy? Many Black women attend therapy, are learning to prioritize #selfcare, but there clearly we need more. Where exactly is our safe space in the corporate world? Hey Black girl when it all gets to heavy to bear, I implore you to choose YOU over the American dream, the job titles, and degrees. You are smart. You are worthy. You are important. You are loved. You are bigger and better than any box they try to create to place us in. Sincerely, A Black professional woman. #blackmentalhealthmatters #blackwomen #selfcare

This is beyond heartbreaking. The question remains how do we eliminate bullying, toxicity and dysfunctional behaviour in our well established institutions? #eliminatebullying #suicidepreventionawareness #bullyingprevention

Suicide from bullying at work. This makes me so angry. Angry. I can't imagine what she endured to push her to this final step. I can't help but wonder why no one responded when she sought out help for her situation and deteriorating her mental health. Angry. Firmly, it is my belief that others are in the same boat. Right now, at this very moment. Maybe they are silent. Maybe they have spoken up, but nothing has happened. I'm here to scream that no job is worth your life or your mental health. I encourage those fighting silent battles the following: 1. Speak up. Go to HR. Go to their boss. Go to several leaders. Exhaust all your options. 2. Document everything. Keep a detailed record of dates, times, what was said, done, etc. This includes messaging and email. 3. Get some support. If you don't trust HR or feel they won't do anything, find someone else in HR. Find another leader to ask for help. 4. Get external outside help. That means maybe talking to a lawyer or any other formal body that can help. The best solution is almost always the most obvious in this situation. Leave the job. There are some terrible, toxic, micromanaging, narcissistic "me first" people out there who should have never become leaders. You two might not get along for various reasons. It could be personal or not. It could be based on some form of discrimination. Who knows. All I plead and ask is for you or anyone you know who is enduring this to act. Leave the job if you have to. It's not worth it. I promise you will feel better. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need direction or help or just want to talk. RIP Dr. Candia-Bailey

Last week I commented on the suicide of Ruth Perry and this week we learn the tragic news of another female leader in education taking her own life - Different story, different place and situation, but many similarities most heartbreakingly, a workplace that robs an employee of their will to live. One of the notes we share very clearly with delegates attending OLLIE's suicide prevention training is the very clear causation between bullying and suicide. If you want to learn more then you know where we are, we run open online sessions every few weeks (usually in the evening) so join when you can, but do join. I find myself with nothing more important to share than the words within the original thread written by Ayana Parsons … ✨ Quitting your job might be the very thing that saves your life. ✨ If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide as a result of your workplace experiences: 1) Tap into your company’s employee assistance programme if it exists. Seek immediate therapy and do what you can to activate your community of support. 2) Report bullying, harassment, etc. to HR and/or your workplace hotline. 3) Negotiate your exit and, if that doesn’t work, QUIT YOUR JOB. No job — and I don’t care how well it pays — is worth your life. 💔🙏🏽 #JusticeforBonnie  #OneLifeLostIsEnough

Sadly, we are still seeing this happen in higher learning in 2024. Leaders at every level need to wake up to the terrible strain and stress employees feel when their workplace becomes psychologically unsafe. It is even more painful and isolating when it happens in the C-Suite. It is clear that your role, gender or pay scale is not enough to protect one from the harm of poor workplace treatment.

The Long Road to Overcoming Adversity “We are capable of amazing things.”   Educating others about childhood apraxia of speech is very important.  Otherwise, a child might be misdiagnosed or not receive the correct treatment to succeed.  Kylie Shepard tells us about her frustrations as a child due to this exact problem.  Read her story and be inspired by how she eventually received the correct diagnosis and soared!    Read Kylie’s full story: https://lnkd.in/eGw-He2D   #findhope #givehope #apraxia #apraxiaawareness

Oh no. This hits me to the core. I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for almost 25 years but prior to that, I worked in the mental health field. I can’t begin to tell you the impact it had on my life then & now. Stories like this affect me to the core. Bullying, Depression, & the COVID Crisis has led to stories like this. More support, resources, & de-stigmatizing mental health issues needs to be a top priority. The medical field has been hit hard.. I am friendly with many nurses & doctors.. yes Doctors.. who know my background, trust me, & have asked me for help. Your work title is out of this equation..mental health is mental health plain & simple. I help where I can.. your life matters🙏. Despair & suicidal thoughts have been topics that many don’t want to talk about but are reality in light of the many stressors that we face now. Financial stress, work, marital issues.. honestly I could go on & on. Praying for her family & others who are struggling with mental health issues.. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder. We have so much work that needs to be done. Please seek help.. seeking help is a sign of strength not weakness. We can’t overcome this crisis without a team effort. Be kind!!