This conversation addresses mental illness and attempted suicide. If you or someone you know is suicidal, please contact your physician, go to your local ER, or call the suicide prevention hotline in your country. For the United States, the numbers are as follows:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Both programs provide free, confidential support 24/7.

On January 25, 2021, Natasha Bowman attempted suicide. Before this, “The Workplace Doctor” had written a best-selling book, performed a TED Talk, and was about to travel to Indonesia to be honored as one of the World’s Top 30 Management Professionals by Global Gurus. And was when that familiar record scratch happened: COVID-19.

“Other than my career, I felt like I didn’t have anything else to offer this world,” Bowman told HRD. She sunk into a hole some know all too well, others have a hard time understanding.

After Natasha was hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she was ashamed and reclusive. A vibrant presence on LinkedIn with more than 80,000 followers, she went silent on the social media platform. Now she is silent no more. Natasha has made it her life’s work to use her experience and expertise to drive needed change to destigmatize mental health, create mentally healthy workplaces, empower employers and managers to have human conversations and provide accommodation, and go beyond EAP to help employers provide truly meaningful support. 1 in 5 adults suffer from mental illness; it’s time to have the conversation.

Take a listen.