Good Employers Offer Support and Treatment Options for Mental Health Crises - Robert Kramer's Post

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Employees feel stigmatized (for asking).

Now, imagine your workplace is a Major League Baseball Stadium with 40,000 Onlookers.w, imagine your workplace is a Major League Baseball Stadium with 40,000 or so Onlookers. imagine your workplace is a Major League Baseball Stadium with 40,000 or so

That's Where Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran Works. Robert Kramer discusses public shaming against those who have mental health crises, because they are brave enough to ask for help or to talk about their struggles.

Male athletes are particularly steeped in the culture that encourages stoicism. 

But Duran spoke about the internal struggles that once led him to attempt suicide. He hoped that baseball fans and anyone else aware of his decision would celebrate his courage.

That did not happen. Just weeks after the Netflix docuseries disclosing his mental illness including the suicide attempt, his vulnerability made him a target. At a game in Minneapolis, he indicated to his teammates and stadium staff that a fan said, “something inappropriate.”

The fan was ejected by stadium security, teammates and most fans expressed support. But there now was a specific vulnerability he faced in every game.

After a game the following Tuesday, Duran revealed that some fan “told me to kill myself.” He didn’t alert anyone on the team because the focus needed to be winning the ball game.

Duran now says, “I’m used to it at this point. Sh*t happens. I’m going to flip somebody off if they say something to me. It is what it is. I shouldn’t react like that, but that stuff is still kind of triggering. It happens.”

Major League Baseball and Red Sox opponents are investigating the allegations. But the impact on Duran seems to have already sunk in. He says, “honestly, it’s my fault for talking about my mental health because I kind of brought in the haters,” he said.

Mental health providers want patients to focus on overcoming stigma. (Employers should, too) While that’s a worthy endeavor, speaking publicly, especially by those in a media spotlight, is a big risk.

As Duran realized, the haters are waiting to find a vulnerability. And fans see heckling as part of the ticket they bought.

All visiting teams expect normal fan heckling. But their ticket purchase does not give them freedom to ignore the humanity of any athlete.

Ask yourself, while sitting in the proverbial stand that sometimes requires multi-tasking. Sometimes we are a player on the field or an observer in the stadium. Are you a true supporter of the players or your fellow workers, or just there for the superficial brew-haw-haw? Aspire to be the best you can be today and tomorrow, if so fortunate.

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