Guests Andrea Driessen and MaryAnne Bobrow join host Michael Pinchera on the latest episode of MPI’s EVENTalks podcast to discuss mental health concerns in the event industry as well as the importance of both giving and receiving gratitude. The following is an excerpt from that conversation.

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Michael Pinchera, MPI’s managing editor and host of EVENTalks: My perception is that society in general has become more comfortable addressing mental health issues than in the not-too-distant past. Of course, meeting and event planning is regularly listed as one of the most stressful professions—and that doesn’t just affect the planners, obviously, anyone in the industry can be exposed to that at varying levels. What, if any, mental health issues do you see as especially prevalent in the event industry?

Andrea Driessen (pictured above), professional speaker and creator of Gracenotes: I’m well aware that burnout is rampant. You’re so stressed and anxious because while you’re behind the scenes, there’s so much pressure and so many stakeholders that it’s really difficult to manage and juggle—and planners do that amazingly well, but we’re all human.

MaryAnne Bobrow (pictured below), chair of MPI’s Pacific U.S. Regional Council: Meeting professionals can also have episodes in their private life that have nothing to do with their work but are affecting them dramatically.

Pinchera: Definitely—none of the mental health concerns are exclusive to people in this industry; people in this industry just tend to be exposed to, perhaps, greater stress and then they get all of the other regular human problems as well. Do either of you have any standout recommendations for someone who may be struggling with any of the issues you mentioned?

Bobrow: Awareness. That is key to understanding where the level of affected mental health is. What I mean is sometimes there are minor things that affect people for which anybody can help—just be a friend. Then the intermediate level where they really do need professional help. Then there’s the crisis level which can be [life threatening].

Driessen: MaryAnne, I’m glad you mention awareness because our own ability to have self-awareness can be limited. We often don’t see the impact we’re making around us and that can make us feel as if we don’t matter. When we don’t feel we matter, it’s hard for anything around us to matter and that can bring on that depression, anxiety and burnout—and a lack of work-life balance.

It’s one thing to know we need to be aware, but how do we do that? If nothing, I’m a practical human—and I’m also an impatient human—so I like to develop tools that make things easier and simpler. I’ve seen countless times when people receive a Gracenote, a message of mattering, that shows them how they’re making an impact, in detail, it gives them this deeper self-awareness around their skills and passions so they can do more of those things. When we’re completely mired in stress and burnout, it’s hard to see those things. But when we get a tangible note that we can look back to again and again that reminds us of how well we’re showing up in the world, even though we may be behind the scenes of an event, we can be more impactful, less stressed and less anxious.

Continue this conversation, further exploring mental health struggles faced by meeting professionals, the neglected art and importance of expressing gratitude and learn more about Driessen’s upcoming sessions at October’s IMEX America, by listening to the full episode of EVENTalks on MPI's site or on your podcast platform of choice.