What this professional athlete's mental health journey can teach the workplace

• Key Insight: Learn how employer mental health strategies directly influence employee productivity and talent retention.
• What's at Stake: Unchecked mental health gaps risk reduced innovation, engagement, and operational performance.
• Expert Quote: Blocker: Leader endorsement of mental health resources legitimizes care and increases employee safety.
  Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

At 33, world champion sprinter, businesswoman and mental health advocate Jasmine Blocker already has a long list of accomplishments to her name. One of these is learning to better manage her own mental health, which suffered for many years as a result of self-induced pressure, a non-stop schedule and unexpected loss, leading to negative impacts on her performance and overall well-being. 

This is the experience of far too many professionals — something Blocker hopes to change by speaking out about her personal experience and normalizing mental health help and self care. As benefit leaders work to construct policies and offerings for the good of their employee population, Blocker's journey is a testament to why mental health and wellness conversations and resources are must-haves in the workplace.  

"These benefits should be available so people are in a good place for their families, their coworkers and for their workplace," Blocker says. "If we're looking for the best productivity, we want people to be well, and just by opening that conversation, you're not only validating [people's] feelings, you're making [them] feel safe."

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A champion in many forms

A strong work ethic earned Blocker academic and athletic achievements at both Princeton, where she received her undergrad, and Tulane, where she got her MBA. But this journey was also marked by depression and anxiety, as well as PTSD following the tragic death of her freshman roommate. After moving to L.A. to pursue running professionally, she hit a wall, and knew a shift in approach was the only way forward. After starting regular therapy and receiving official diagnoses, including a more recent one for ADHD, Blocker has been able to better align her wellness needs with her career. 

"It was so eye opening for me when I did get diagnosed; I was able to treat myself and not only feel better, but be more productive and reach my actual potential," Blocker says. "I see it as a way to fulfill your dreams, because mental health impacts people in a way that holds them back: If you're not able to identify it and put your finger on it, you can't address it in the right way. And when it comes to mental health, it must be specific and it must be tailored to you."

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Now, Blocker's ongoing devotion to her health runs alongside her continued athletic aspirations and her goal of inspiring others through marketing partnerships with various companies as well as her own social media. 

She shares why she decided to take a public stand for mental health and wellness, and why companies should make this a primary focus for the sake of employees and their business.   

What made you decide to become a public advocate for mental health?
I wanted to open up the conversation so that people can help each other navigate through a mental health journey in a real way. I encountered so many hurdles, not only that I put in place myself by not attacking the issue head on even though the signs were there, but also issues within the systems of mental health, like insurance and what prescriptions are available and whatnot. 

You have to be methodical in the ways you advocate for yourself through a mental health journey to make sure that you're getting tailored treatment. I really wanted to be a voice that, even when it feels like there are no more options, there are things that you can do.  

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Why should leaders make employee mental health and wellness a top priority?
Mental health is important for everybody across the board, because it allows you to reach your full potential so you're able to produce better for the company in general. There should be a strategy in place for all employers to make sure that their employees are not struggling with a mental health issue, because that's going to inhibit their ability to be innovative, creative, social with their coworkers — just everything work-related.  

Why do company leaders need to be vocal about their support of mental health efforts? 
Leaders set the standard; they make it OK. There is still shame, especially when you're in the workplace, around mental health, because it's tied to productivity. It's [seen as] laziness or incapability, or some sort of shortcoming instead of something that's just out there and talked about, such as, 'Hey, we all have it going on, and these are the resources so that you can address it. Don't think twice about taking care of yourself.'