HELMI YUSOF | The Peak: The Solitude of Success.
HELMI YUSOF | The Peak: The Solitude of Success. Senior executives under immense pressure to excel have few avenues to vent their fears and frustrations.
Leaders hide struggles.
Nick Jonsson, managing director of EGN Singapore, initially kept his condition carefully under wraps as he gradually descended into a deep depression in 2018. Struggling immensely with his mental health, he increasingly turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, which led to significant weight gain and caused him to retreat further into isolation. At his absolute lowest point, feeling overwhelmed and desperate for support, he made the decision to seek professional help by undergoing a comprehensive health screening in Batam, motivated by a strong fear that visiting a clinic in Singapore might expose him to acquaintances or colleagues who knew him personally.
This trip marked a pivotal moment in his journey, reflecting both his desperation for change and the challenges of stigma that can accompany mental health struggles in the professional realm. As he ventured into unfamiliar territory, he carried not only his hopes for healing but also the weight of societal perceptions that often dismiss mental health issues as signs of weakness. Each interaction became a test of his resilience, with the undercurrent of fear that revealing his struggles might jeopardize his professional relationships and reputation. Nonetheless, this experience served as a catalyst for his growth, compelling him to confront not only his own vulnerabilities but also the broader implications of mental wellness in the workplace, ultimately inspiring a deeper dialogue about acceptance and understanding.
