“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come from it.” – Benjamin Mee, author
This quote has influenced District Manager Paige Lindström since 2009, and in her 20 seconds of courage she pitched an idea to her leaders stressing the importance of mental health awareness, resulting in a program designed to develop resources for how to cope.
Says Paige, “My own mental health experiences made me realize I didn’t want anyone to feel the way I felt…and the more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to change how people view mental health as a whole.”
While studying forensic psychology in college, Paige was an adolescent counselor at Mental Health of America and pursued the state certifications needed to practice in the field. After training in needs assessment, counseling techniques, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and more, she began using her skills volunteering with at-risk youth.
“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come from it.”
– Benjamin Mee, author
“Mental health is what makes a human, human.”
She found out about MarketSource through her work in retail—which is also where she was touched by a team member’s personal struggles with mental health. It was then she realized her two worlds were colliding in a very inspirational way. Her “20 seconds of courage” to suggest a plan for providing mental health awareness blossomed into a company-wide Prioritizing Mental Health campaign that has been ongoing since last year.
“Mental health is what makes a human, human,” explains Paige. “It impacts every area of our lives and ripples into everything we do, think, or say. Until recently, mental health was seen as a problem…but now, it might be one of the most pressing issues we’re facing in the world as a whole. It affects everyone, regardless of background. That keeps me pushing for better practices and reducing the stigmas. Support should be the new normal and I’m working toward making that happen.”
Aside from her full-time job, Paige spends her free time helping others through her freelance work, as well as contributing to MarketSource’s bi-monthly Prioritizing Mental Health bulletins. It accumulates to around 25-30 hours a week, but for Paige, it’s a passion project. She explains, “I find it very fulfilling. I get to see the positive impact I have on another person by providing someone with a resource that can make their lives better…or just be a listening ear.”
A favorite part of Paige’s workday is getting feedback from her team. “MarketSource has always had a strong sense of community,” says Paige. “I love seeing that continued growth and being a part of positive change. I want to contribute to our culture, where everyone feels valued, heard, and has access to resources in their time of need.”
She continues: “And for anyone who has a crazy idea… maybe one that seems so far-fetched, it doesn’t seem possible… have twenty seconds of insane courage. You won’t regret it!”
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #marketsourceproud
Author: Sarah Nicholas
Sarah is a Content Writer for MarketSource. She has deep experience helping B2B, high-tech companies, and non-profit organizations define and convey their voice through compelling content and strategies that build and scale brands.
