Featured Individuals: Jordan Friesen
May 3, 2022by Sommer Hines in Announcements
Meet our next featured influential individual for Mental Health Week - Jordan Friesen!
This Mental Health Week we're featuring some of the best ....
Today, we're pleased to introduce you to Jordan Friesen!
Jordan is the President of Mindset Mental Health Strategy Inc. He has personally trained over 1,500 leaders in their roles supporting mental health in the workplace since starting his business almost two years ago. He has developed mental health strategies for organizations ranging in size from a few hundred to 10,000 employees.
Jordan answered the following questions for us:
Q: What is your story? Why are you an advocate for mental health?
A: I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder when I was 19 years old and studying to be a rocket scientist (literally!). After a fairly lengthy recovery period and a number of missteps along the way, I wanted to find a way to help others learn from my experience. I spent a few years in direct service delivery but quickly realized the need for more widespread, systems-level change to make mental health for all a reality. Now I work exclusively with employers and leaders to help create mentally healthy work environments for employees. So much of our mental health depends on the environment we live, work, play, and exist in and I believe that the opportunity for impact in workplaces is immense. Too many employers (and even employees) think that the solution exists at the individual level, and while we can, and should, do things to take care of our own mental health, we need to address the root causes. As others have said, “Don’t major in the minors”.
Q: How do you care for your own mental health?
A: It perhaps sounds cliché, but exercise is a main component of my mental health maintenance. Cycling is my sport of choice and when I go too many days without the type of vigorous exercise this gives me, I can tell (and so can my wife). Another key aspect is the group of people I surround myself with. I choose relationships, personally and professionally, that are worth investing in and put clear boundaries around others. It’s been a helpful learning experience throughout my recovery. Beyond that, I take medication daily and regularly monitor my stress levels using a 10-item self-assessment each month.
Thank you for the important work you do in the mental health space, Jordan!
