Raising vulnerable voices: Stepping forward bravely to create a brighter future

On September 12, 2025, In the Cellar celebrated its third anniversary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When we dreamt of an event across the Great Lakes region focused on mental wellbeing for children, we wanted to raise more than money. We wanted to raise voices. The topic of mental health can create strong reactions and still holds stigma. As we planned the first event, I recall considering the content and talking with potential speakers, while feeling nervous about the response.

At this year’s CEO Roundtable ahead of the evening fundraising effort, we hosted several speakers, including Children’s Champions from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals; author and podcaster Christopher Veal; President & CEO of Origence, Tony Boutelle; Jamie Tworkowski, New York Times bestselling author of If You Feel Too Much and founder of non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms; and Olympic Medalist, runner, and coach, Gail Deavers. Throughout the presentations and conversations, we heard about the challenges that so many Americans face. We learned about the pressures that young people feel to perform and achieve. We felt the agony of life’s darker moments and how facing them can be profoundly isolating. Leaders in the audience were open about their pain and demonstrated brave vulnerability, showing why discussing these matters is vital to leaders and our organizations.

One of the most meaningful comments that a colleague shared with me after the roundtable was, “Tansley, when I first saw this agenda, I wasn’t sure how it would apply to my work and to me as a leader. Then we got started, and I put down my phone. I was taking notes. It was really powerful.”

For credit union leaders, the significance of investing in mental wellbeing is multifold. In a people-first industry, the cultural implications and bottom-line business results are tangible. According to Berkeley ExecEd’s “The Impacts of Poor Mental Health in Business,” “…unresolved depression accounts for a 35% reduction in productivity. It contributes to a loss of $210.5 billion a year to the US economy in the form of productivity loss, medical costs, and absenteeism. In fact, depressed employees miss an average of 31.4 days of work per year.”

Additionally, according to “The Mental Health ROI: Why Investing in Employee Well-Being Pays Off,” “A study conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every $1 invested in the treatment and support of common mental health issues translates to a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. Therefore, companies should prioritise the mental health of their employees and provide them with necessary support, as these interventions benefit the employees and contribute to the company’s overall success.”

While at times our investments in human potential and leadership development are seen as ‘soft skills,’ these power skills can transform lives and return stronger outcomes for our organizations.

Beyond the bottom-line benefits and impact on our cultures and teams, the connection between mental health and financial health has been well-documented. According to “Financial strain and depression in the U.S.: a scoping review,” by Ettman, Fan, Philips, Adam, Ringlein, Clark, Wilson, Viver, and Galea, “Financial strain is a formidable factor associated with depression in populations. The association between financial strain and depression is consistent, positive, and significant in the United States.” This can compound over time, as shame with financial pressures can lead people to isolate, and isolation can lead to more mental health challenges. As community leaders and financial wellbeing experts, credit unions can foster connections, provide education, and achieve positive outcomes.

As I shared on Friday evening, every statistic about mental health quoted represents real human beings and real moments of struggle. And for me, this isn’t abstract . . . it’s personal. In my own home, I’ve seen firsthand how heavy the weight can feel for our young people. And just recently, my daughter MacKenzie reminded me, in the most courageous way, why our shared commitment as leaders matters so deeply.

MacKenzie recently started the 9^th grade, and one night she came home worried. She’d made a joke at cross country practice that didn’t land, and we talked it through. Then I asked, “Did something else happen?”

She shared that the night before, she had noticed that a newer friend from summer camp had been re-posting about self-harm before MacKenzie went to bed. She told me she had been terribly worried and did not know what to do. Then she told me she sent her friend a text about how much she cared, how incredible she is just for being the person she is, and that she will always be there for her. She did not hear from the friend until the morning, which continued to worry her. She went on to tell me she had finally heard in the morning and that the friend had responded and was okay.

At once, I felt compassion for her friend and her friend’s parents. I was incredibly proud of my kiddo for being such a thoughtful and invested friend, and I was devastated that she was carrying this. We often discuss in our house how to support those we love, how to find help when needed, and encourage MacKenzie to share her darker times. I want to say that this conversation about one friend from camp was the first one we’ve had. This past summer, we’ve had other friends hospitalized for depression and suicidal risks.

Talking about these topics is uncomfortable. We may not know what to say. We may feel ill-equipped to respond. However, the more we talk about it, the more natural it will become. More importantly, the more we connect, the lower the risks will become.

Experiencing what I have with MacKenzie and listening to our In the Cellar speakers and leaders, I learned so much. Below are six steps credit union executives can take to support mental wellbeing, drive stronger bottom-line results, grow even more inspiring cultures, enhance financial wellbeing, and build tighter communities:

For years, talking about mental health has been stigmatized. While we rarely hesitate to seek the support we need if we break a bone, we may hesitate to find a therapist or other resources when we are struggling with mental wellbeing. As leaders, we have a role to play in reducing stigma. If you are a leader and work with a therapist, talk about it. As thriving human beings share their stories, it normalizes mental health support and encourages others to do the same. Each conversation will help build a foundation to reduce stigma.

In an incredibly busy world, we often race past colleagues, loved ones, and neighbors, asking, “How are you?” and never even hearing the response. We may believe that hearing “okay” really means okay. It might not always. In the next week, pick a day to really focus on slowing down as you ask, and if you hear a brief response, ask another question to really check in. I live a very full life, and I have people say, “I didn’t want to bother you. I know how busy you are.” While I am busy, I am never too busy for people who need an ear, and the small signals that we’ll make time matter.

One way to shift the perspective that investments in mental wellbeing extend beyond “soft skills” is to share the data. Find ways in leadership meetings to make these connections, even pulling from the statistics in this article. Over time, share similar data in all team meetings. This will be another opportunity for the team to hear that mental health matters and normalizes the conversation. It will also give the team talking points about the business case. As you build your scorecard for the coming year, think about where data around overall and mental wellbeing might fit.

I will never forget when I first shared with a colleague that I was in therapy. My palms sweat remembering it. I was worried about being judged. I was also concerned that I would be seen as weak. As a woman leading and working to break through other barriers, that concern was powerful as I spent much of my career demonstrating my ability to take on more and guarding against perceptions of fragility. Doing it once made it easier to do again. I make it a point to mention both my therapist and my coach when I talk with our Community Financial Credit Union team. I’m committed to improving daily. I’m as imperfect as any human. I also know that when my team hears that I’m committed to prioritizing my mental health, it creates a path for them to consider it should they need support as well.

One way that we can support each other and enhance mental wellbeing is through connection. Isolation can add to mental health challenges. According to the National Library of Medicine’s “Loneliness, Social Isolation, and its Effects on Physical and Mental Health” by Shankar, “…social isolation has harmful effects on mental health. These include worsening of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Studies have shown a greater prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation due to social isolation in adolescence than in adulthood. A systematic review of 63 studies of more than 50,000 children and adolescents found a significant association between loneliness and mental health problems.” Credit unions were built for connection. Whether it is a quick stop for a coffee, a call to hear a colleague’s voice from across the miles, planning time to see more of Indianapolis after next year’s In the Cellar, or your annual all-team event, creating space for collaboration and meaningful interactions can change the trajectory for someone you care about.

When it comes to supporting mental health, asking, listening, showcasing connection, demonstrating vulnerability, and bringing people together all make sense for our credit unions. They also make sense at home. Within our nuclear families, with friends, within community organizations, and in our schools, these same lessons apply. Human beings need one another. Something you try at work might apply directly at home. Something at home might translate with adjustments at work. With intention, repetition, and care, we can manifest positive change and ensure that those we cherish, work with, and love have the mental health support and wellness they need and deserve.

Let’s take a step together, credit union leaders. Investing in mental wellbeing creates a brighter future for our families, organizations, teams, and communities. On September 12, our movement raised our collective voice. As we continue to do so and share those stories, we can showcase the heart of credit unions, ensure Americans have the financial partner they deserve, and change the outlook for mental and overall wellbeing across the country.