Summary of "Colleen Pelly: Mental Health In The Workplace" – The Squeeze Podcast

Release Date: July 30, 2025
Host: Taylor Lautner
Guest: Colleen Pelly
Topic: Mental health in the workplace

Introduction

In this impactful episode of The Squeeze, host Taylor Lautner welcomes Colleen Pelly, an expert in workplace mental health and founder of Linchpin, a people operations consultancy. The conversation delves deep into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding mental health in professional settings, drawing from Colleen’s personal experiences as a COVID nurse and her journey in entrepreneurship amidst postpartum struggles.

Personal Journey and Background

Colleen's Experience as a COVID Nurse

Colleen opens up about her tenure as a COVID nurse during the pandemic, highlighting the lack of mental health support provided to frontline workers. She shares poignant anecdotes, such as workplaces offering superficial gestures like beach chairs instead of meaningful mental health resources.

Colleen (00:13): "A lot of companies see mental health as, like, a checklist item. If we make a post during Mental Health awareness month, we offer yoga, then we're good."

Transition to Entrepreneurship

Inspired by persistent disconnects in traditional recruitment firms, Colleen founded Linchpin with the support of her husband. Balancing the demands of a new business while navigating postpartum anxiety, she emphasizes the importance of support systems and self-compassion.

Colleen (05:14): "What you've been trying to ask for, what you've always wanted."

Key Topics Discussed

1. Redefining Mental Health in the Workplace

Colleen critiques the superficial approaches many companies take towards mental health, advocating for ingrained, day-to-day practices that prioritize employee well-being over mere token gestures.

Colleen (11:05): "Mental wellness is not just, I'm giving you time to go meditate. It's like I'm creating a work environment where your mental health is prioritized."

Challenges Identified:

• Checklist Mentality: Companies often treat mental health as a box to tick rather than integrating it into the core culture.
• Burnout Culture: Rewarding constant availability and overworking counteracts mental health initiatives.
• Lack of Clarity: Undefined success metrics lead to employee burnout as they strive to meet ambiguous expectations.

2. Psychological Safety and Leadership

Creating a psychologically safe environment is crucial. Colleen emphasizes the role of leadership in modeling vulnerability, admitting mistakes, and fostering open communication.

Colleen (24:07): "If someone is telling me they're experiencing burnout, I'm going to respond with adaptability and adjustment for what you're doing."

Strategies for Leaders:

• Modeling Behavior: Leaders should demonstrate vulnerability and accountability.
• Transparent Communication: Open dialogues about mental health and workplace expectations.
• Empathetic Layoffs: Handling layoffs with transparency and support, rather than blindsiding employees.

3. Coping with Layoffs

Colleen discusses how layoffs, though challenging, can offer pivotal lessons about self-worth and the importance of life beyond work.

Colleen (26:34): "You can do your job well and then you can step away from it. You can be present with your family and with your life."

Best Practices for Empathetic Layoffs:

• Avoiding Blindsides: Ensure employees are informed respectfully and timely.
• Providing Support: Offer resources like LinkedIn support and assistance in job transitions.

4. Balancing Multiple Roles

Navigating roles as a founder, wife, and mother requires intentional habits and boundary-setting. Colleen shares practical tips on compartmentalizing responsibilities to prevent overwhelm.

Colleen (33:12): "Tackling burnout looks like being super present and prioritizing the things that I need."

Habits for Balance:

• Scheduling Self-Care: Treat personal time as non-negotiable meetings.
• Delegation: Relying on support systems to share responsibilities.
• Presence Over Productivity: Focusing on being present rather than constantly productive.

5. Common Misconceptions About Employee Mental Health

Colleen debunks the notion that mental health can be adequately addressed through perks and highlights the need for systemic changes within organizations.

Colleen (21:45): "Mental wellness is not just benefits; it's how we're looking at our leadership and the space we're creating for our team."

Misconceptions Identified:

• Perks as Solutions: Believing that yoga classes or wellness apps alone can resolve deeper mental health issues.
• One-Size-Fits-All: Ignoring individual employee needs and experiences.

Practical Takeaways

1. Integrate Mental Health into Company Culture: Beyond token gestures, embed mental wellness into everyday operations and leadership practices.
2. Foster Psychological Safety: Create environments where employees feel safe to express vulnerabilities without fear of judgment or repercussion.
3. Prioritize Self-Care and Boundaries: Whether as a leader or employee, setting clear boundaries is essential for sustainable mental health.
4. Empathetic Handling of Layoffs: Approach layoffs with transparency, support, and empathy to mitigate negative psychological impacts.
5. Redefine Success: Shift from hustle culture to a balanced approach that values personal well-being alongside professional achievements.

Notable Quotes

• Colleen on Superficial Mental Health Initiatives (00:13):

  "A lot of companies see mental health as, like, a checklist item. If we make a post during Mental Health awareness month, we offer yoga, then we're good."

• On Being Replaceable (26:00):

  "You can do your job well and then you can step away from it. You can be present with your family and with your life."

• Empathy in Leadership (24:07):

  "If someone is telling me they're experiencing burnout, I'm going to respond with adaptability and adjustment for what you're doing."

• Compartmentalizing Responsibilities (33:12):

  "Tackling burnout looks like being super present and prioritizing the things that I need."

• Final Takeaway on Self-Kindness (49:12):

  "Be kind to yourself and create space for yourself to like, take care of you."

Conclusion

This episode of The Squeeze offers invaluable insights into the often-overlooked aspect of mental health in the workplace. Colleen Pelly's candid discussion underscores the necessity of moving beyond superficial solutions, advocating for genuine cultural shifts that prioritize employee well-being. Her personal anecdotes serve as both a cautionary tale and a roadmap for individuals and organizations striving to create healthier, more supportive work environments.

Listeners are left with a profound reminder to prioritize self-care, foster empathetic leadership, and embrace the understanding that true success encompasses both professional achievements and personal well-being.

Additional Resources:

• Linchpin – Recruitment with Purpose (Link to Linchpin's website)