I had the honor of hosting a panel event with AIGA Arizona that tackled an important yet often overlooked topic: mental wellness for creatives. This event brought together an incredible lineup of mental health specialists, including therapists, life coaches, and resilience experts, to share their experiences and provide valuable insights for our creative community.

The goal of this panel was simple yet powerful: to remove the stigma around seeking therapy and to equip creatives with the resources they need to prioritize their mental health. For many creatives, the demands of working on diverse projects with tight deadlines can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even depression. Studies have shown a strong link between creativity and mental health challenges, with many creatives using their struggles as a driving force rather than seeking the help they need.

Our panel of experts shared their experiences working with creative clients and offered strategies for better health, healing, and resilience:

• Jonny Roman shared his journey from battling severe depression and low self-esteem to becoming a life coach and international retreat leader. His story highlighted the power of personal development, therapy, and self-love as tools for transformation.

• Elsie Storm, M.A., inspired attendees to honor their truth and stand tall in their greatness, emphasizing how this alignment can lead to increased income, impact, and fulfillment.

• Otto Siegel, founder of Genius Coaching, brought a unique perspective informed by neurobiology, positive psychology, and behavior science, offering actionable advice on tapping into one’s innate genius.

• Kathleen Gramzay, a body/mind resilience and self-care expert, demonstrated how organizations and individuals can empower themselves through mindful practices to improve collaboration, confidence, and productivity.

• Karen Nowicki, an integrative coach and trauma mentor, shared her wealth of knowledge on healing through holistic approaches, including Tao practices and trauma-informed coaching.

Following the panel, we opened the floor to a Q&A session where attendees could ask questions, share their thoughts, and start meaningful dialogues with our specialists. It was heartening to see such openness and curiosity from our community.

At AIGA Arizona, we believe that removing the stigma around therapy and mental health is critical for the well-being of our creative community. By providing opportunities like this panel, we hope to ensure that if someone needs help, they know where to find it.

Mental wellness is not a luxury; it’s a necessity—especially for creatives whose empathy and passion are both their strengths and vulnerabilities. By arming ourselves with the right knowledge and resources, we can build a healthier, more resilient community.

Thank you to our panelists and attendees for making this event such a meaningful experience. Let’s continue the conversation and work together toward better health, help, and healing.