Iulia Stoenica’s Post

*My Raw and Honest Mental Health Journey* It's not easy to share, so let's just take a deep breath and share it to normalize it. Many of you have witnessed my job search journey, the ups and downs, and the relentless persistence. Those months of searching were emotionally draining – endless calls, travels, unpaid assessments, and the frustrating ghosting after multiple interviews. There were times I doubted my worth, wondering if I was good enough. But I refused to give up. Then, the moment of triumph arrived! I landed a job, Yes! You read it correct! I got a job on my terms and my heart swelled with excitement. The first day was a whirlwind of emotions – new faces, new challenges, and a sense of accomplishment. But, unexpectedly, an OLD FRIEND welcomed me there! My dear ANXIETY crept in. Panic attacks, shivering, and tears overwhelmed me. I was totally clueless what to do! Literally it felt like a child having his first day at school I confided in a team member, struggling to hold back emotions, and left work feeling defeated. That's when reality hit me – I wasn't okay. My doctor's words echoed in my mind: "subconscious stress" and "mom guilt" had taken a toll. The weight of managing work, family, and expectations had become unbearable. I was not taking all this seriously when I got totally unable to function and finely had to take a break! As working mothers, we mask our struggles, hiding behind brave faces. But the truth is, we're exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperate for support. The lack of flexible work arrangements and infrastructure exacerbates our anxiety. My journey with anxiety and depression began in childhood, fueled by similar feelings of inadequacy I now face as a mother. It's time to shatter the silence! Let's break the silence and support: *Prioritize mental health *Advocate for flexibility at work *Support each other's imperfections Together wee can create a compassionate work environment where vulnerability is celebrated, not stigmatized. #MentalHealthMatters #WorkingMom #WomenInLeadership #FlexibilityAtWork #AnxietyAwareness #DepressionSupport #BreakTheSilence #EmpathyInAction

June is Mental Health Awareness Month at BHP, which is a great reminder that mental well-being is just as crucial as physical health – for ourselves and our teams. Did you know 1 in 8 people globally experience mental illness? That means someone you care about could benefit from open conversations and support. Let's break the stigma! The more we talk about mental health, the easier it becomes to seek help and create a supportive work environment. Here's my story: A few years back, I faced personal and professional challenges (restructuring, layoffs, divorce) that pushed me to the edge. Working long hours with little sleep and healthy food, my body eventually said "enough." I fell ill and realized I needed to prioritize myself. Now, I prioritize mental health through: - Daily physical activity (at minimum a brisk 45-minute walk but more when I have time!) - Consistent sleep and healthy diet - Weekends dedicated to family and personal well-being - Setting clear work boundaries This month, I'll focus on: My physical fitness and getting back to peak climbing fitness for my summer outdoor adventures! Mental health matters year-round, but in June, our Exploration team is doing the "Push for Better – Push Up Challenge" to get active and boost mood! Let's work together to have open conversations, check in on each other, and create a healthy, supportive environment! #MentalHealthAwareness #BHPWellbeing #PushForBetter #Exploration

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Day, I wanted to share a quick thought on how mental health is *especially* important in operations. Because our teams are often underresourced and underappreciated, despite being the backbone of most businesses, we often times put a lot of pressure on ourselves to overperform in order to compensate for the lack of capacity…and to not let anyone down. At an old job I had, when we would feel these pressures, our team had a mantra — “We work to live, we don’t live to work.” People signed off by 6pm at the latest. People took 3+ weeks of PTO per year. The mantra set the tone, but the team had each other’s backs and understood the importance of valuing mental health. If your manager/company doesn’t support you in this way, I’d encourage you to consider starting to look around for a new job. Not everyone has the flexibility to switch, and the job market sucks — but I’m telling you, your mental health is so important and is the key to surviving the marathon that is a corporate career. 😮💨 Please take care of yourselves, remember that no one is perfect (and that we can’t overcome unrealistic expectations by just trying harder), and remember that you, your family, and your friends need you to be healthy. Below is a great quote from Brigette Hyacinth that is very similar to our previously mentioned mantra…maybe it can be your mantra. 😌❤️ #mentalhealth #career #worklifebalance #pto

I am one week from my official start date at XXX Company. So how am I spending this week? Well obviously with my fluffy Frenchie and some ice cream…gonna be a hot one in Spokane! But other than that I am: Getting up at 7 am and getting back into a routine. Combing through the company website and learning more about product. Social listening to learn about the company and product. Early onboarding, and getting myself set up in their work system. Thinking about ways to make impact through content. I’m also: Exercising daily or getting outside Taking time for gratitude and to give back to those seeking jobs Being intentional about my mental health —————— Starting a new role can be both exciting and stressful. We all put a lot of pressure on ourselves to succeed. A lot of us have been searching for work at no fault of our own either. Being prepared and focusing on your mental health is often the best thing you can do. #mentalhealth #newjob #contentmarketing

Mental Health Awareness week shines a spotlight on checking in with those around you. For me navigating the last two months after redundancy has been a bit of a rollercoaster, so many mixed emotions and the challenge of slowing down has felt uncomfortable to say the least. However along my journey so far I’ve learnt some valuable lessons to protect my mental health, aided daily by my new canine team and A LOT of one sided conversations! 🌞 Acknowledge Your Emotions: It's okay to feel uncertain, frustrated and anxious. 🌞 Maintain a Routine: I still get up at 6, start my day as I used to and balance job searching with self-care activities. 🌞 Seek Support: I spend a lot more time alone and adjusting to life without a busy team around me is odd. So talk to friends, family, or professionals. 🌞 Get Outside: Do the stuff you never get to do during the working week! I have been maximising this opportunity and my new team love it! 🌞 Stay Positive: Redundancy doesn't define your worth and I recently discovered a great podcast Open to Work Podcast from Matthew Parker and James Hudson who reminded me that none of this is a reflection of my own abilities. I thoroughly recommend a listen. If you're also facing redundancy or are ‘open to work’, remember, you're not alone. Take care, everyone. Faith +(Milo & Bear) #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #JobSearch #Resilience #SupportNetwork #RedundancyRecovery

In a time when mental health awareness is increasing, we often feel pressured to keep working through challenges. But when someone takes a break, they usually have to explain it to future employers. People take breaks for many reasons: healing, exploring new interests, caring for loved ones, or just needing time to recharge. Sometimes there’s no reason at all, and that’s perfectly fine! Let’s normalize taking breaks as a natural part of our careers, not something we have to justify. #CareerBreaks #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance

It's World Mental Health Day (a green ribbon should be here, but I couldn't find the emoji). This morning, I found myself reflecting on my professional journey over my cup of coffee. I've never regretted a decision that put my mental health first, even when it seemed like a difficult choice at the time. Whether it was setting boundaries, taking a break, or pursuing a path that truly aligned with my values, prioritizing my mental health has always led me to a better place, both personally and professionally. I am still working on myself in that regard, and I still have lessons to learn, but I want to remind myself and you that our well-being is our investment, not a liability. Your mental health is your valuable asset that is key to your overall success and growth. So, please, take good care of yourself and your mental well-being. Equally important, be kind and fair to others, especially those with less power in workplace dynamics: junior employees, support staff, interns, or trainees. And if you find yourself in a position with less power in the workplace, remember this: Yes, you absolutely need to learn, prove yourself, and earn the respect of your managers. But never let that come at the expense of your mental health and well-being. Don't be shy or hesitant to set boundaries and advocate for your needs. Your mental health is non-negotiable, no matter where you stand in the workplace hierarchy. Take care of youself :) 🌸 #WorldMentalHealthDay

Anna died, and so many more are suffering. We don’t speak up, thinking nobody will listen. But if we don’t wake up now, we'll never wake others to the harsh realities. I’ve seen someone close to me suffer the same trauma Anna did. He lost his self-confidence, always anxious, always afraid, constantly on edge. When I heard the news about Anna, I couldn’t stop crying, thinking of my loved one. He made a decision just in time, he quit the job and left the toxic manager, or else, we might have never known his story. It’s time to make our mental health a priority. It’s time to value human relationships more deeply. Because at the end of the day, no one will care like your family does when you’re gone. Is it worth sacrificing your life for those who hardly even notice? At a previous organization, I launched the "Let’s Talk" initiative, when I saw how much employees needed someone to listen— not about work or performance, but about their fears and anxieties, especially during the challenges of COVID and remote work! Even the top leaders couldn’t hide their vulnerability during those calls. The thought of anyone suffering in silence, as Anna did, weighs heavily on my heart. I’m determined to help anyone I can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support, guidance, or simply someone to talk to. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, Seeking Support is a Strength not a Weakness! LinkedIn Linkedin News #mentalhealth #psychologicalsafety #employeewellness #corporateculture #workpressure #corporatelife #MentalHealthMatters #EndTheStigma #SupportIsStrength #BreakTheSilence #YouAreNotAlone #SpeakUpForMentalHealth #ToxicWorkplace #LetsTalkMentalHealth #PrioritizeWellbeing #ListenAndSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #CompassionAndCare #hr

You don’t need my permission. If you work for me, you don’t need to justify your life outside of work. You have work outside of your life. You don’t need my permission to check out if your kid is sick. You don’t need my approval for a family emergency. You don’t need my blessing to take your PTO. You don’t need to push through illness to prove that you’re devoted. You don’t need to be ashamed about asking for a mental health day. You don’t even need to tell me it’s a mental health day. It’s a day, and you need it. I hire smart people who know how to work on a team. If you need coverage because life happens, speak up. We’ll show up. You tell me what you need. You already know what I need as part of your role. As a leader, my job is to hire smart people and get out of their way. You need a supportive management structure that wants you to do your best work and understands that your best work is only possible when the other stuff is managed. That’s how you get dedicated, invested, long-term employees— by treating them like humans first. Live your life and do your job, not the other way around.

Let's talk about mental illness and difficult and even painful professional decisions. It has taken me almost six months to grieve, but I am finally ready to share my story about leaving my dream job. Having a mental health condition does not always mean you can't follow your dreams, but it does mean you have to be honest with yourself about your needs, physical and mental resources, passions, and values. As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, I have thought a lot about where I am as a woman with serious mental illness and where I have been. I am proud of my choices, and though they have not always been easy, I feel like I have continued to make choices that bring me joy and fulfillment. On this last day of Mental Health Month, I want to share another piece of my story because I know I am not alone in having to make hard choices for my health. I hope you find connection and strength in reading, and I thank all of you who have supported my growth through the years. Please note this post mentions suicidal ideation. If you feel comfortable, I would love to hear a little about how you or someone you know has made decisions like this. What was helpful in these times, and what do you/do they wish had gone differently? #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealthMonth #DreamJob #HardDecisions