Commemorating National Hispanic Heritage Month with TIE and Choice Content 2026
TIE and Choice resources that highlight Latinx scholarship, literature, and activism
Posted on in Blog Posts
What I Wish My Manager Knew About Mental Health and Wellness
Posted on July 14, 2026 in Blog Posts
Authors:
Alejandro Marquez
Recently, I’ve been navigating a particularly difficult period in which two family members spent time in the hospital. This isn’t a unique story. It’s a thread woven into the fabric of countless lives.
The immediate aftermath of a hospital visit is a whirlwind of logistics—coordinating care, offering support, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy. But beneath the surface, there’s a constant, low-level hum of worry. Are they comfortable? Are they getting the right treatment? What if …? These questions loop endlessly, fueled by a primal instinct to protect those I love.
And then, I have to go to work. The shift in focus is jarring. Suddenly, I’m expected to compartmentalize, switch gears, leave behind the anxieties swirling in my mind, and focus on instruction, deadlines, and research consultations. It’s a performance, and it’s exhausting. It’s a subtle but powerful form of denying the very real impact the event is having on me and my ability to function.
There is an inherent conflict between my professional obligations and my deeply held responsibilities as a family member. I’m often so focused on fulfilling my roles at work that I neglect the fundamental human need to process and respond to the emotional weight of this situation.
Beyond the Trauma Dump: A Plea for Recognition
I want to be clear: I’m not advocating for a free-for-all of emotional outpouring, such as a “trauma dump” where everyone shares every detail of their anxieties. That’s not a sustainable or productive approach. However, I am arguing for a fundamental shift in how we acknowledge and address the impact of life’s challenges on our work lives.
What I’m suggesting is a space to admit that when a loved one is struggling, an employee’s ability to be fully present and productive at work is compromised. It’s okay to feel distracted, to have moments when we feel overwhelmed, or to struggle with concentration. It’s okay to acknowledge that a worker’s primary concern is the well-being of someone they love.
This isn’t about seeking special treatment or demanding sympathy. It’s about fostering a culture of understanding and empathy within the workplace. It’s about recognizing that the capacity for productivity is inextricably linked to our emotional and mental health.
What Employees Really Want to See from Their Managers
- Normalize the Conversation: The biggest barrier is often the stigma surrounding health issues, especially mental health issues. Employees need to feel comfortable talking about their struggles without fear of judgment, punishment, or career repercussions. Managers can play a huge role in normalizing these conversations by openly discussing their own well-being (appropriately, of course) and encouraging others to do the same. It is a recognition of a shared human experience. Leaders can play a crucial role in setting this tone.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Leaders can advocate for flexible work arrangements such as remote work options or flexible hours that allow individuals to manage their personal responsibilities without sacrificing their careers.
- Active Listening: It’s not enough to simply hear what an employee is saying. Managers need to actively listen, show empathy, and validate their feelings. Simple phrases such as “That sounds really challenging” or “I can see why you’re feeling that way” can make a huge difference.
- Create a Culture of Trust: Employees need to trust that their manager will handle sensitive information with discretion and respect. This builds a foundation of psychological safety, a sense of security that allows people to take risks and be vulnerable.
Let’s build library organizations where vulnerability is seen as a strength, where empathy is valued, and where individuals are empowered to bring their whole selves to work, not just the polished, productive version, but the one that carries the weight of love, worry, and the profundity of human experience. It is a win-win situation.
About the author:
Alejandro Marquez (he/him) is a Science and Engineering Librarian at the University of Denver Libraries. He also served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador, where he worked as a Municipal Development volunteer. His research interests include library employee mental health and well-being.
Interested in contributing to TIE?
Email Fatima (fmohie-eldin@ala.org) at Choice with your topic idea.
Header image is a detail of This is Harlem by Jacob Lawrence. Courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. © 2021 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. For more information, click here.