10/10 is World Mental Health Day,

Mental health is still considered more private than physical health. We don’t think twice about sharing when we have a sprain or bad flu, but when it comes to mental health, we shy away from talking about it. Sharing a mental health struggle is seen as weak, and talking about it isn’t encouraged. When I started working 20 years ago, even calling in sick was frowned upon. The world has come a long way, but when it comes to mental health, we’re still in that ‘frowned upon’ era, where social structures don’t allow us to talk openly. We talk about going to the dentist, but not about going to a therapist. We talk about having a fitness coach but not a mental health coach—even though mental health often needs more external expertise than something we can watch on YouTube and DIY.

Earlier this year, I found myself staring at my calendar filled with planning, reviews, hiring, and firefighting. The constant context switching took its toll and left me completely overwhelmed. Not the productive kind of pressure we sometimes thrive on, but the kind that makes you question if you’re doing any of it well. Mental health isn’t just about crisis moments. It’s about recognizing that we’re all human, trying to build something meaningful while managing our own internal complexities.

I don’t know if WHO chose 10/10 as Mental Health Day for a reason, but when I look at it, it’s on-off, on-off (for folks who know binary). That’s true about mental health too. Some mornings I wake up energized by the problems we’re solving; others I wonder how we’ll get through the next sprint. Here’s what I’ve learned from my coach: it’s okay to feel both. You can be passionate about our mission AND feel depleted. You can be proud of your work AND need a break. You can be a high performer AND need support.

Take a moment to reflect and look inside. We don’t need a crisis to do that. Find your solace. 

Be kind to yourselves today—and every day.