ACHIEVE & SUCCEED ONE IN FIVE OF US WILL HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH EPISODE IN OUR LIFETIME. of the job, which can make the ability to handle stress well a badge of honor. The trouble is that prolonged exposure to stress causes anxiety, depression, heart disease, obesity and a whole host of other health problems, including burnout. So what can we do? The fi rst step in addressing the mental impact of stress in the workplace is spreading the message that it’s OK to not be OK. Planche and Greenoff both say sharing our personal stories is key. Because while stress is often talked about at industry events, the day-to-day reality of how it affects our mental health rarely is. For his part, Greenoff says he’d like to see the creation of a support system that encourages colleagues from across the industry to check up on one another’s wellbeing. Other suggestions include placing more emphasis on mental health at industry events and including a personal component in those sessions. Or perhaps Canadian event planners should take a cue from our colleagues across the pond and form an organization like EventWell to oversee mental wellness initiatives in the industry. One thing is certain, says Planche, we need to talk about mental health. “I think we need to change our mentality. It’s not a weakness, this is a stressful industry and we should be looking at more techniques (for managing stress) and understanding how it affects our lives.” point in their career. While these fi gures refer specifi cally to our colleagues in the UK, it’s fair to assume that stress takes a toll on us. Michelle Planche, president of Paradigm Events in Toronto, happened to sit with Greenoff at an industry dinner last year when the subject turned to mental wellness. After Greenoff told his tablemates about his close brush with suicide, Planche opened up about her own struggle with anxiety and panic disorder and how she’s been dealing with them for more than 20 years. The news was met with surprise by some at the table but Planche, a successful entrepreneur and self-described perfectionist, knows that mental health can affect anyone. “Just because someone puts on a brave face, doesn't mean they’re perfect or that they don't struggle with the same things as you,” she says. “It doesn’t mean I’m not successful in my career or that I can’t do my job.” This mistaken belief that depression and anxiety don’t affect successful people stops many people from talking about their own challenges, whether in or outside of work. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the organization charged with supporting the mental health and wellness of Canadians, workplace stress is our single biggest source of mental health concerns. To some event professionals, stress is just part That was six years ago. Greenoff, a sales manager for meetings and conventions at Destination St. John’s, says his mental health is much better now but he still has rough days. With the help of antidepressants, therapy and an extremely supportive partner, he’s stopped drinking and now shares the story of his battle with mental illness and alcoholism whenever he thinks it might help someone who’s struggling. Aside from the duck, Greenoff’s story isn’t unique. Sadly, 4,000 Canadians die by suicide every year and one in fi ve of us will have a mental health episode in our lifetime. So, considering that event planning is routinely labelled one of the 10 most stressful jobs in the world by CareerCast, why aren’t we talking more about mental health? When CareerCast compiles its annual ranking of stressful careers, meeting planner routinely makes the top fi ve—shortly after fi rst responders and front-line military personnel. Juggling travel, tight deadlines, long hours, being in the public eye and the constant need to make quick decisions are all factors in the rankings and they’re all in a day’s work in this business. Is it any surprise then that 10 percent of event professionals in the U.K. will have a mental health episode this year? Because according to EventWell, a U.K. charity dedicated to supporting event professionals’ mental health, they will, and one in three will experience an episode at some 28 | Ignitemag.ca | July 2020
