This Mental Health Advocate Is Challenging SME Leaders To Rethink What Support Means At Work

In a world where productivity often overshadows personal well-being, Afzan “The Storyteller” is quietly rewriting the narrative, one honest conversation at a time.

From her early career as an architect to her current role as a freelance mental health advocate and social media specialist, Afzan’s journey is anything but ordinary.

But what sets her apart isn’t just her diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder; it’s how she’s turned it into a platform for change, particularly for business owners and entrepreneurs who rarely hear these stories told from the inside.

A Turning Point in Therapy

It was a suggestion from her psychiatrist during a therapy session that sparked Afzan’s journey into advocacy: “Find a cause bigger than yourself.” At the time, she was burnt out, unsupported by her employer, and uncertain of her next move. But the question lingered—how could she help others like her?

“I thought, I can’t be the only career woman with a diagnosed mental disorder who’s struggling in silence,” she shares. “So I started telling my story.”

That decision was neither easy nor comfortable. Speaking publicly about living with bipolar disorder meant sharing her darkest moments with strangers. But it also brought purpose. “If I can help just one person in each session, that’s enough for me.”

Speaking from Experience, Not Textbooks

Afzan is the first to admit she’s not a psychologist or psychiatrist. “I don’t offer clinical advice,” she says. “I share lived experience.”

And it’s working.

Time and again, after her talks, she receives messages from attendees, some of whom had never opened up about their mental health, saying they finally felt seen and safe enough to seek help. It’s not data on a slide. But for Afzan, it’s real progress.

The challenge, however, remains: many companies still don’t prioritise employee mental health, especially when budgets are tight. “Until that mindset shifts, it’s hard to fully measure the impact,” she explains.

Living—and Working—with Bipolar

Afzan’s openness includes the reality of managing her condition while working. With Bipolar II Disorder, she experiences hypomania—periods of elevated mood, high energy, and bursts of creativity. It sounds like a productivity hack, but she’s quick to clarify it’s far from glamorous.

“When I’m hypomanic, I can’t sleep, I jump between ideas, I can’t focus,” she says. “It’s exhausting. I’ve learned to be more aware of my mood shifts and to manage them with the help of mood stabilisers and self-awareness.”

She doesn’t claim to have it all figured out. “I still slip up. But I’m more mindful now.”

The Power of Representation

One of the most touching stories Afzan shares is about a colleague in Cebu who also has bipolar disorder but never felt safe enough to talk about it, after following Afzan’s social media content, which changed.

“She told me she no longer hides it. She doesn’t feel ashamed anymore,” Afzan recalls. That colleague now holds a senior leadership role in her company. “To see her grow like that, knowing she feels safe to be herself, that’s what it’s all about.”

Building Psychologically Safe Workplaces

One of the key misconceptions Afzan wants SME owners to let go of? That mental illness is a weakness, or that people can just “snap out of it.”

“Employees with mental health issues are not broken. What they need is support, not judgment,” she says.

Her advice to business owners is simple: start small. You don’t need a massive budget to build a mentally supportive environment. “Create safe spaces. Encourage open conversations. Check in with your team. Let people know they’re not alone.”

Afzan also champions the value of having a Mental Health First Aider in every organisation, not to replace professionals, but to offer that crucial first layer of support. “It’s like having CPR for the mind,” she says.

On Being an Entrepreneur and Mental Health Advocate

Despite her active speaking engagements and online presence, Afzan is refreshingly candid about her boundaries. “I don’t have a system,” she says with a laugh. “I just try not to take myself too seriously, and I laugh a lot. That helps.”

She’s also launching a podcast soon, Going Mental with Baban, where she’ll talk to other people with lived experience, business leaders, and experts, with her signature mix of heart and humour.

Why This Matters for Business Owners

If you’re a business leader wondering whether investing in mental health is worth it, Afzan has a message backed by hard data. The World Health Organisation estimates that 12 billion workdays are lost each year to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy US$1 trillion annually.

And for every $1 spent on mental health, the return on investment is $4.

“You don’t need to go big,” she says. “Start with awareness campaigns. Offer quiet support. Create check-ins. If budget allows, offer access to professional help—even just a few sessions.”

Vulnerability Isn’t Weakness. It’s Leadership.

Her final message to business owners: If you want to share your mental health journey, do it for the right reasons.

“You’ll have to be vulnerable. But that’s not a weakness—it’s authenticity,” Afzan says. “You don’t lose credibility when you’re honest. You gain trust.”

And if you’re not ready to share? “That’s okay too,” she says. “You’re not a lesser leader for choosing privacy. Do what feels right for you.”

Afzan’s story is a powerful reminder that mental health isn’t a side conversation; it’s a leadership priority.

For those willing to listen, her voice offers a pathway to empathy, understanding, and change.

You can visit her website for more information.