Wisconsin author uses his story to fight workplace stigma

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – A Wisconsin mental health advocate is using his own story to break down stigma in the workplace. 

Kody Green is a mental health advocate, author, and content creator. He’ll be in Wausau this weekend signing copies of his book called Minds Over Meetings: A Personal Perspective on Wellness in the Workplace.

“It’s about mental health and mental illness in the workplace,” he tells WXCO. “I myself am diagnosed with schizophrenia and I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my adult life.”

Green says his book is aimed at helping those struggling with mental illness navigate the workplace and advocate for their needs.

“I really break down how I learned to deal with, you know, stigma in the workplace, how I learned to talk to HR management, how I learned to communicate about how I was struggling, and what people around me could do to help.”

He also says he learned how to understand his rights as a worker. He wants employers to understand how lack of accommodations can hurt employees dealing with mental illness. 

“I took all of these things and tried to incorporate it into a guide for not only people who struggle with mental health or mental illness, but for caregivers, for people in HR who want to be more accommodating for management, anyone that cares about how we view mental health in the workplace,” he said.

Green has one key message for those struggling with mental illness: you’re not alone. 

“When I started hearing about other people who were struggling, it gave me a sense of community,” he said. “It helped me feel like I wasn’t alone in this journey.”

Green will be signing books at 1pm this Saturday, Oct. 11 at the NAMI Northwoods Healthy Minds Art Show at Art on Grand.