Mental health matters

Now more than ever, mental health and overall well-being needs to be top of mind. Bloomberg is deeply committed to helping our employees and their families in a multitude of ways, and encouraging all members of our global community to support one another.

Mental illness does not discriminate and it can take many forms. Here, our employees open up about challenges they’ve faced with their own mental health, how they’ve gotten help, and the perspective that comes from sharing their stories to fight against the stigma.

Bridgett Goebel, Analytics, San Francisco
Diagnosis: PTSD and Major Depression

I joined the military straight out of high school. While in the military, we were always expected to be at our best, and that sometimes meant disregarding health concerns. That created a culture of not seeking medical attention when sick or struggling. I hid my problems because I didn’t want to be labeled or judged. I didn’t want people to think I was slacking and leaving extra work for others to pick up, or to ultimately risk being disqualified for duty. I didn’t seek the help I needed and this led to me eventually attempting to take my life.

As I look back now, I know that there were options that could have been taken to help me before I reached my low point. It is okay to reach out and ask those around you how they are, to show interest in their well-being. For those struggling and afraid to reach out, ignoring and hiding will only lead to a longer road to recovery.

I think sharing my story will help by telling others that no matter what you are going through, there is someone out there that can help. You will feel better if you just speak up. July 4th will mark 12 years of my recovery — I still struggle but I know that I have people I can depend on to care.

Paula Fry, Electronic Trading Solutions, London
Diagnosis: Starting perimenopause

JM, Analytics, London
Diagnosis: The impact of homophobia and transphobia at school

It’s often difficult for me to talk about the mental health problems I face as someone from the LGBTQ+ community because of an internalized shame. It’s a shame I was surrounded with growing up – hearing homophobic and transphobic abuse: “Gay” being the playground slang word for anything that is bad. I can recall feeling so isolated at school with regards to my sexuality, I didn’t dare come out – you’d get enough abuse if people just suspected that you were anything other than straight and cis-gendered (born into the physical gender you feel you are). It’s taken me many years to fully come to terms with the toll these experiences had taken on my mental health, and it’s a journey that I’m still on, with the help of friends and allies in the community.

Sharing my story will help to break down the stigma associated with discussing mental health and ensure we go even deeper so all diverse voices are heard and understood.

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