Whitney Fishburn
After Layoffs: Mental Health Support for All ...

For Those Left Behind

You might feel relief… and guilt. Maybe even resentment, confusion, or fear about what’s next.

What’s also common but rarely talked about: Workplace Survivor Syndrome. It's when guilt, anxiety, and hyper-competition kick in after layoffs—often leading people to go into “self-protection” mode.

Here’s how to take care of yourself—and your integrity—through the aftermath.

After Layoffs: Mental Health Support for All Impacted Workers
Whitney Fishburn
Supporting Employees who are parenting children ...

You probably offer your employees some form of health benefits. But is your benefits package robust enough to fully support your employees’ range of total health needs if they are to be fully present at work and resilient? 

One often overlooked area of employee support is for parents of children with mental health concerns. A survey published earlier this year by Lyra Health found that over half of the more than 1,900 U.S. workers surveyed support a child with a mental health concern. Yet, the survey also found that “worker confidence in their employer-provided resources for their kids’ mental health is lagging behind companies’ investments in this area.” 

Supporting Employees who are parenting children in mental health crisis
Whitney Fishburn
Navigating the Aftermath: A Therapist's ...

Losing a client to suicide can be devastating personally to a therapist, but professionally, there also can be many unforeseen consequences.  The emotional toll is often compounded by systemic issues within the mental health field that can transform a tragic event into a potentially career-ending one. 

Navigating the Aftermath: A Therapist's Response to a Client's Suicide
Mens Mental Health, mental health, suicide prevention
Whitney Fishburn
Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed ...

Veterans’ Mental Health: Where We Need to Focus

Veterans face unique mental health challenges that too often go under-addressed, from military sexual trauma and transitional stress to the long-term impact of PTSD. These experiences don’t just affect mental well-being—they can shape every aspect of a Veteran’s life, from personal relationships to reintegration into civilian roles. Yet there is reason to be hopeful: today, more than ever, there’s a focus on empowering Veterans as community and workplace mental health leaders. With evolving peer support programs and resources designed to remove cultural and financial barriers, we’re seeing real progress in providing accessible, culturally competent mental health care. By positioning Veterans at the forefront of these initiatives, we can harness their resilience and leadership, creating stronger communities and workplaces while ensuring they receive the support they deserve.

Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed Mental Health Challenges and Effective Resources
Whitney Fishburn
The Papageno Effect: Harnessing Positive ...

Earlier this year,  I attended the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior (ESSSB) in Rome. One of the plenary presentations by Prof Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, of the Medical University of Vienna,  illuminated the powerful impact of the “Papageno Effect” on suicide prevention. 

The Papageno Effect: Harnessing Positive Storytelling for Hope and Recovery in Suicide Prevention

When Your Soul Feels Tired – Compassion Fatigue & Soul Care

When Your Soul Feels Tired – Compassion Fatigue & Soul Care

If you’ve ever felt completely worn down from caring too much, you’re not alone. Compassion fatigue and soul exhaustion are very real, especially for those of us in helping professions. It’s not just physical or mental tiredness—it’s the deep depletion of our spirit, making it hard to feel joy, purpose, or even hope.

I’ve been there. Twice.

2017 – When My Nonprofit Collapsed

Our suicide prevention nonprofit—named in honor of my brother—went under. It felt like waves crashing around me as I struggled with grief, failure, and uncertainty. I believed I had let down everyone who had invested in our success—and my brother’s legacy. But rather than numb out, I leaned into the soul-filling impact of partners who stood by me. I’ll never forget the colleagues who said…

"We love you, whether you succeed or fail."

Navigating Addiction in the Workplace

Navigating Addiction in the Workplace

The opioid crisis continues to present significant challenges to businesses and communities alike. Addressing this issue in the workplace is not just a matter of social responsibility but also a critical aspect of risk management.

Why Employers Should Be Concerned

The opioid epidemic is now in its third decade, which at this point makes it a fact of life, one with significant implications for workplace safety and productivity.  Overdose-related workplace fatalities have steadily risen for approximately 10 consecutive years, according to federal occupational data.

There were 512 deaths attributed to unintentional overdoses from non-medical drug or alcohol use on the job, representing 9.7% of all occupational injury deaths in 2023, according to the 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Opioids were the primary source of 162 fatalities and a contributor in an additional 144 fatalities where multiple drugs were the source, according to the census.

Recovery-Supportive Workplaces Strengthen Workplace Safety

Recovery-Supportive Workplaces Strengthen Workplace Safety

Supporting employees in recovery isn’t just about compassion, it’s also a practical business strategy that supports workplace safety. 

Federal data show that 70% of all adults with an alcohol or illicit drug use disorder are employed, making the workplace an important setting to address substance use disorders. These nearly 14 million workers are about a tenth of the entire adult workforce, of which about 2 million receive treatment annually for an SUD.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2022, the number of unintentional overdose-related deaths on the job in the U.S. rose by more than 13% over 2021, from 464 to 525 deaths. 

Maintaining the Holistic Health of Employees

Maintaining the Holistic Health of Employees

The McKinsey Health Institute’s 2023 survey of more than 30,000 employees across 30 countries found that employees who believed their holistic health was supported by their workplace reported increased innovation at work, and improved job performance.

The generally accepted dimensions of holistic health include physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. To get an idea of how you might address these all at once, consider the ergonomics of your workplace health and safety program. It is a systematized way of avoiding stress to the worker’s body, and can range from the type of office furniture you purchase, to support for repetitive motions, to how storage is designed, to even more complex considerations for skilled industrial labor. A holistic approach to worker safety seeks ways to systematize stress management not just for the body, but the whole person.

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Emotional Ergonomics: New White Paper Uncovers the Critical Link Between Industrial Ergonomics, Chronic Pain, and Mental Health in the Workplace

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Emotional Ergonomics: New White Paper Uncovers the Critical Link Between Industrial Ergonomics, Chronic Pain, and Mental Health in the Workplace

Denver, April 30, 2025 – The growing challenges of workplace injuries, absenteeism, and employee burnout are no longer just about physical ergonomics. “Emotional Ergonomics: How the Intersection of Industrial Ergonomics, Pain, and Mental Health Shapes Worker Well-Being” is a new white paper that explores how industrial ergonomics, chronic pain, and mental health are inextricably linked—and why organizations can no longer afford to treat them separately.

After Layoffs: Mental Health Support for All Impacted Workers

After Layoffs: Mental Health Support for All Impacted Workers

For Those Left Behind

You might feel relief… and guilt. Maybe even resentment, confusion, or fear about what’s next.

What’s also common but rarely talked about: Workplace Survivor Syndrome. It's when guilt, anxiety, and hyper-competition kick in after layoffs—often leading people to go into “self-protection” mode.

Here’s how to take care of yourself—and your integrity—through the aftermath.

Supporting Employees who are parenting children in mental health crisis

Supporting Employees who are parenting children in mental health crisis

You probably offer your employees some form of health benefits. But is your benefits package robust enough to fully support your employees’ range of total health needs if they are to be fully present at work and resilient? 

One often overlooked area of employee support is for parents of children with mental health concerns. A survey published earlier this year by Lyra Health found that over half of the more than 1,900 U.S. workers surveyed support a child with a mental health concern. Yet, the survey also found that “worker confidence in their employer-provided resources for their kids’ mental health is lagging behind companies’ investments in this area.” 

Navigating the Tsunami of Suicide Loss -- 20 Years Later

Navigating the Tsunami of Suicide Loss -- 20 Years Later

On December 7, 2004, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Carson took his life, just two weeks before Christmas and his 35th birthday. Around the same time, the world was struck by the Asian tsunami disaster, and the impact of Carson’s death swept through our family with a similar force—engulfing us in helplessness and shock….

Sometimes Life Gets Fubared: 10+ Years Later "Man Therapy" Still Matters in Veterans' Mental Health

Sometimes Life Gets Fubared: 10+ Years Later "Man Therapy" Still Matters in Veterans' Mental Health

Man Therapy, launched in 2013, continues to be a groundbreaking resource for mental health, particularly in addressing the unique challenges faced by tough-minded individuals, including those in the military and veteran communities. Recognizing the need for a more targeted approach, a specific focus on military personnel and veterans was introduced in 2015 to offer tailored resources that resonate deeply with this group. Today, Man Therapy remains as relevant as ever, now available in Spanish, helping us collectively shift the narrative from one of hopelessness to one of hope through proactive action. By encouraging our military members and veterans to take the 18-Point Head Inspection, we empower them to actively engage in their mental health journey, reinforcing that strength is not just physical but mental resilience, too.

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Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed Mental Health Challenges and Effective Resources

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Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed Mental Health Challenges and Effective Resources

Veterans’ Mental Health: Where We Need to Focus

Veterans face unique mental health challenges that too often go under-addressed, from military sexual trauma and transitional stress to the long-term impact of PTSD. These experiences don’t just affect mental well-being—they can shape every aspect of a Veteran’s life, from personal relationships to reintegration into civilian roles. Yet there is reason to be hopeful: today, more than ever, there’s a focus on empowering Veterans as community and workplace mental health leaders. With evolving peer support programs and resources designed to remove cultural and financial barriers, we’re seeing real progress in providing accessible, culturally competent mental health care. By positioning Veterans at the forefront of these initiatives, we can harness their resilience and leadership, creating stronger communities and workplaces while ensuring they receive the support they deserve.

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Election Eve -- Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other

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Election Eve -- Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other

In the United States stand on the eve of a high-stakes, tight election. It’s natural to feel emotions running high. For many, this moment brings a sense of urgency, uncertainty, and even strain as we navigate a deeply divided time. This division can challenge our relationships and our sense of belonging, sometimes even driving wedges between cherished loved ones.

Tonight, let’s remember that regardless of outcome, our shared humanity remains. Practicing civility can help keep us grounded and connected during this challenging time.

The Papageno Effect: Harnessing Positive Storytelling for Hope and Recovery in Suicide Prevention

The Papageno Effect: Harnessing Positive Storytelling for Hope and Recovery in Suicide Prevention

Earlier this year,  I attended the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior (ESSSB) in Rome. One of the plenary presentations by Prof Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, of the Medical University of Vienna,  illuminated the powerful impact of the “Papageno Effect” on suicide prevention. 

Want to combat mental health stigma? Don't say ‘stigma’!

Want to combat mental health stigma? Don't say ‘stigma’!

It seems that any time we hear the words “suicide” or “mental health”, the word stigma follows right after.  The word “stigma”, according to the Oxford Dictionary, means a “mark of disgrace”.

Instead of talking about stigma incessantly, let’s stop to consider how by focusing on it, we ensure it stays in place, forever associated with mental health challenges. The net result is that people who are struggling are all too often reluctant to seek help, since they are constantly reminded that having a mental health issue is a mark of disgrace. 

What if we reframe stigma as a form of bias, rather than something to be ashamed of? Doing so would help normalize help-seeking for mental health concerns, creating the expectation that getting help is reasonable and even preferable.  

Addressing Mental Health Challenges: H.O.P.E.’s Encore Performance

Addressing Mental Health Challenges: H.O.P.E.’s Encore Performance

Encore Electric is a Denver, Colorado-based industrial electrical contractor with over 1,200 employees at sites across several states in the West. When Cathy Emerson, Encore’s benefits manager, noticed a trending increase in Encore employees requesting mental health help during the pandemic, she began to rethink the resilience strategies the company already had in place.

“I’d been noticing and wondering what to do about the increase in mental health issues and requests for help,” Emerson says. “I'm sure with COVID, everybody had noticed this, but we were seeing it even though employees were still working from home. We knew we really needed to act on it.”

Three Ways Employers Can Stop Worker Suicide

Three Ways Employers Can Stop Worker Suicide

Launched in April 2024, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention calls on US employers to integrate suicide prevention into their company's health and safety plan. Of the 15 goals in the strategy, one is dedicated to the workplace.

Goal #5 of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention states: "Integrate suicide prevention into the culture of the workplace and into other community settings."

Companies that already are driving a culture of care and psychological safety are, therefore, at the front of a growing movement to stem the alarming rise of suicides and fatal overdoses nationally—exactly what the strategy was designed to address. For those still seeking to build a culture of care, there has never been more support for your aims.

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Leveraging Lived Experience for Impactful Suicide Prevention and Recovery: Research Findings from the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior in Rome

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Leveraging Lived Experience for Impactful Suicide Prevention and Recovery: Research Findings from the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior in Rome

Last week, I found myself deeply inspired by the symposium at the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior (#ESSSB20) in Rome, where profound discussions unfolded about the critical importance of integrating the wisdom of those with lived and living experiences into every aspect of suicide prevention and recovery. 

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7 Key Reasons Why Lived Experience Matters in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

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7 Key Reasons Why Lived Experience Matters in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

Lived experience is the heartbeat of suicide prevention, breathing life into data and transforming theoretical strategies into real-world impact. By centering the voices of those who have navigated suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or grief, we gain insights that go beyond statistics—insights that are rooted in the emotional, social, and personal realities of the human experience. Incorporating lived experience ensures that suicide prevention efforts not only address the complexities of mental health but do so in a way that is empathetic, adaptable, and truly person-centered. These voices bring richness to our understanding, fostering innovative, humane approaches that lead to genuine healing and change.