Erin Hallett.

Ending the stigma

7 October 2021

The article at a glance

Erin Hallett, Director of Alumni & External Engagement at Cambridge Judge Business School, is named a role model by the mental health action group InsideOut as a senior workplace leader championing mental health issues in the workplace.

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Erin Hallett, Director of Alumni & External Engagement at Cambridge Judge Business School, is named a role model by the mental health action group InsideOut as a senior workplace leader championing mental health issues in the workplace.

Erin Hallett, the new Director of Alumni & External Engagement at Cambridge Judge Business School, has been named by the mental health action group InsideOut as a role model in its annual list of senior workplace leaders championing mental ill-health issues in the workplace. Erin joined Cambridge Judge this month after five years as Head of Alumni Relations at Imperial College Business School in London.

“Known as the InsideOut LeaderBoard, the list recognises business leaders who are open about their mental health journey to encourage their employees to talk about, share and protect their mental well-being,” InsideOut said in announcing its third annual list on 7 October. This year’s list includes Dame Kelly Holmes, who won gold medals in the 800-metre and 1,500-metre events at the 2004 Summer Olympics, former Premier League football player Clarke Carlisle, and senior leaders from companies such as Deloitte, Natwest and JP Morgan. The 210 people named to the list have “been strongly advocating for encouraging the conversations surrounding mental health, which showcases the commitment of smashing the stigma of mental ill-health in the workplace,” said InsideOut.

People on the list are selected based on applications from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Role models are chosen from people who are CEOs or up to three stages from the CEO level, and have experienced a period of mental ill-health personally or via a direct family member and in a period of management and recovery. The list includes three sections: role models, emerging leaders, and allies.

“I am proud to be included as a 2021 role model,” Erin said. “I believe speaking out about mental health helps empower employees to bring their whole selves to work and create a culture where they can seek help when needed.  I hope more leaders are inspired to speak out and share their experience in the future.”

InsideOut founder Rob Stephenson said: “I started the InsideOut LeaderBoard to celebrate senior leaders who were playing their part in challenging the stigma of talking about mental health in the workplace. In just two years, the list has gone from 42 to 210 role models, which shows how times are changing. Mental health is an issue we all face, and the stress of the pandemic has taken a toll on all of us at work and in our personal lives. The more senior leaders share their experiences, it will encourage other staff to be open about how they’re doing and ultimately, build a healthy workplace culture where everyone feels connected and supported.”