1 hr 5 min
Mental Health And Neurodiversity In The Workplace With Ed Ergenzinger And Haley Moss AUTM on the Air
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- Technology
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to discuss mental health and neurodiversity in the workplace. We’ll explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by neurodivergent individuals in traditional work environments.
Neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and more, often face significant obstacles. From navigating social interactions to managing their mental health, these individuals encounter challenges that can impact their well-being and professional success. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and innovation. Neurodiverse individuals bring unique perspectives and skills, enriching workplaces with their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Joining us today are two experts, Ed Ergenzinger and Haley Moss, to discuss neurodiversity, mental health, and their integration into the workplace.
Ed Ergenzinger is a patent lawyer, neuroscientist, and adjunct professor whose personal journey with bipolar disorder has shaped his advocacy for mental health awareness and education. After experiencing the challenges associated with bipolar disorder firsthand, Ed's resilience led him to return to law practice and become a vocal advocate for mental health. With over 20 years of experience in patent law and a deep understanding of neuroscience, he offers a unique perspective on neurodiversity and mental health in the workplace.
Haley Moss is an attorney, author, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity and disability inclusion. Diagnosed with autism at three years old, Haley has become a leading voice in advocating for individuals with disabilities. Licensed to practice law in Florida, she focuses on speaking engagements, writing, and consulting to make workplaces more inclusive for people with disabilities. Through her books and articles, Haley sheds light on neurodiversity in professional settings, drawing from her own experiences to drive meaningful change.
In This Episode:
[03:16] Haley says that she got into advocacy by accident. She was asked by a university to speak on a panel when she was 13 years old. She agreed because the panel was in Orlando, Florida and she wanted to go to Disney World.
[04:50] After speaking, she realized she was making a difference. She's now been advocating for neurodiversity for half of her life.
[05:27] In 2019 and 2020, Ed had a severe manic episode that swung into a deep treatment resistant depression. He couldn't work. He lost his current position, and he was hospitalized.
[06:16] When he got out of the hospital, he went on disability. The severe manic episode resulted in his bipolar I diagnosis. With the correct diagnosis, he could look back and see the cycles.
[06:45] After getting out of depression and returning to work, Ed knew that it was important to tell his story and become involved in advocacy. He wanted to prevent stigma and prevent others from going through what he went through.
[07:17] One size fits all policies are often the problem, not the solution to mental health in the workplace. Flexibility is key.
[08:49] Better communication is also a solution. It's good to offer a mix of ways to connect. Provide context so information makes sense.
[11:19] Knowing how to communicate is huge. It's also important to cultivate empathetic leadership.
[13:48] Lawyer Assistance Programs help lawyers, judges, and law students who have struggles with mental health or substance abuse. We need to build resources that are non-judgmental and don't have stigma around them.
[15:59] Some approaches for supporting mental health in the workplace include seminars and educational programs and appointing directors of well-being.
[18:43] Neurodiverse individuals often have unique strengths. We need to support people without burning them out by holding them to reasonable and attainable goals.
[24:04] Being flexible and dealing with each situation as it comes helps support neurodivergent individ
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to discuss mental health and neurodiversity in the workplace. We’ll explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by neurodivergent individuals in traditional work environments.
Neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and more, often face significant obstacles. From navigating social interactions to managing their mental health, these individuals encounter challenges that can impact their well-being and professional success. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and innovation. Neurodiverse individuals bring unique perspectives and skills, enriching workplaces with their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Joining us today are two experts, Ed Ergenzinger and Haley Moss, to discuss neurodiversity, mental health, and their integration into the workplace.
Ed Ergenzinger is a patent lawyer, neuroscientist, and adjunct professor whose personal journey with bipolar disorder has shaped his advocacy for mental health awareness and education. After experiencing the challenges associated with bipolar disorder firsthand, Ed's resilience led him to return to law practice and become a vocal advocate for mental health. With over 20 years of experience in patent law and a deep understanding of neuroscience, he offers a unique perspective on neurodiversity and mental health in the workplace.
Haley Moss is an attorney, author, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity and disability inclusion. Diagnosed with autism at three years old, Haley has become a leading voice in advocating for individuals with disabilities. Licensed to practice law in Florida, she focuses on speaking engagements, writing, and consulting to make workplaces more inclusive for people with disabilities. Through her books and articles, Haley sheds light on neurodiversity in professional settings, drawing from her own experiences to drive meaningful change.
In This Episode:
[03:16] Haley says that she got into advocacy by accident. She was asked by a university to speak on a panel when she was 13 years old. She agreed because the panel was in Orlando, Florida and she wanted to go to Disney World.
[04:50] After speaking, she realized she was making a difference. She's now been advocating for neurodiversity for half of her life.
[05:27] In 2019 and 2020, Ed had a severe manic episode that swung into a deep treatment resistant depression. He couldn't work. He lost his current position, and he was hospitalized.
[06:16] When he got out of the hospital, he went on disability. The severe manic episode resulted in his bipolar I diagnosis. With the correct diagnosis, he could look back and see the cycles.
[06:45] After getting out of depression and returning to work, Ed knew that it was important to tell his story and become involved in advocacy. He wanted to prevent stigma and prevent others from going through what he went through.
[07:17] One size fits all policies are often the problem, not the solution to mental health in the workplace. Flexibility is key.
[08:49] Better communication is also a solution. It's good to offer a mix of ways to connect. Provide context so information makes sense.
[11:19] Knowing how to communicate is huge. It's also important to cultivate empathetic leadership.
[13:48] Lawyer Assistance Programs help lawyers, judges, and law students who have struggles with mental health or substance abuse. We need to build resources that are non-judgmental and don't have stigma around them.
[15:59] Some approaches for supporting mental health in the workplace include seminars and educational programs and appointing directors of well-being.
[18:43] Neurodiverse individuals often have unique strengths. We need to support people without burning them out by holding them to reasonable and attainable goals.
[24:04] Being flexible and dealing with each situation as it comes helps support neurodivergent individ
1 hr 5 min