Sofie Sonner
Leadership Academy Reflection 3
Dr. Colleen Coffey
The Academy for Leader Development allowed us to hear from Dr. Colleen Coffey in her talk entitled “Transforming the Perspectives of Mental Health”. Rather than simply explaining the concept of mental health from an outsider’s perspective, she provided insight as she is a survivor and was able to get the right kind of help in her early twenties. She gave a new face to mental health because she is a graduate of Belmont University, Eastern Illinois University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and has a Ph.D. When most people think of mental illness, the first thing they think of usually isn’t a successful individual like Dr. Coffey. However, she was committed to changing perspectives on mental stability and showing that recovery is possible.
Dr. Coffey explained to us that most people’s assumptions about mental health are untrue. While this affects between twenty and twenty five percent of our population, it is not limited to what normally comes to mind, like bipolar disorder and autism. The mental health disorder spectrum is broad and far- reaching, including disordered eating, depression, and anxiety. When looking at the percentages of people that have one or more of these disorders, it reaches people on a personal level. We all know someone that suffers from a mental health issue, regardless of whether they hide it or not. In fear of being socially outcast, called “crazy”, or seen differently, two-thirds of people with mental health issues don’t seek help. These conditions are treatable and the majority of people that have them don’t get treated, resulting in unhappy and unhealthy people.
This session impacted my understanding of leadership because it allowed me to see leadership from a different perspective. Personally, Dr. Coffey is a leader as a speaker and consultant, trying to transform communities. She uses her leadership qualities in being the Director of Research for Phired Up Productions and as a mother. Her talk emphasized that a leader must understand their followers on a personal level, and be responsive to their needs even if not as drastic as a mental health issue. Having been a survivor, she shared about her experiences and how her life was transformed once she got the right kind of help for her mental health. She explained that recovery is possible and as a leader we should understand that and help as much as we can. She also described the power of the individual in changing communities. Even though sometimes leaders think they have a small or not far-reaching impact, every positive action they project onto others is beneficial.
Relating this topic to the relationship between personal values, integrity, and ethical leadership, when a leader knows that someone is struggling with mental issues, they should be responsive and proactive in helping that person. They should have discretion and understand that even though helping out may be hard, it is rewarding to positively begin working the individual towards recovery. I will apply this to my leadership practice, not only by getting help for followers with unstable mental health but by being attentive to the needs of those who follow me.