S2E9 - Burnout, Masking, and Mental Health with Dr. Jillian Lynum

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Black Girl, Brown Girl… Squirrel!, Shai and Lex sit down with Dr. Jillian Lynum, clinical psychologist and founder of The Anchored Workplace, for a raw and necessary conversation about burnout, mental health, masking, survival mode, and what happens when “high functioning” becomes a cover for exhaustion. Dr. Jillian breaks down why crisis does not have to be the first sign that something is wrong, how the Strong Black Woman schema can shape the way we ignore our own needs, and why surviving is not the same as thriving. We also get into masking, code switching, generational expectations, workplace wellness, psychological safety, and the difference between real support and a pizza party with a wellness label slapped on it. This conversation is honest, reflective, and healing in that “whew, I need to sit with that” kind of way. If you’ve ever been tired, numb, anxious, overwhelmed, or quietly holding everything together while everyone assumed you were fine, this episode will meet you there. Come squirrel with us. 🐿️ TIME STAMPS 00:11 Welcome Back, Squirrels 00:47 Life Updates, Stress, and Mental Health 03:06 Today’s Topic: Burnout, Mental Health, and Masking 03:21 Meet Dr. Jillian Lynum 05:05 Who Jill Is Beyond the Credentials 07:36 Travel, Food, and R&B Girl Energy 11:25 Why Jill Became a Clinical Psychologist 16:56 Mental Health and How We Talk About It 19:02 Women, Men, and Mental Health Stigma 21:18 Why Crisis Shouldn’t Be the Starting Point 24:34 The Strong Black Woman Schema 25:52 Silent Depression and “High Functioning” 28:14 Suppression, Burnout, and the Soda Bottle Effect 29:41 Survival Mode vs. Thriving 31:24 How to Tell If You’re in Survival Mode 35:04 Exhaustion, Numbness, Anxiety, and Masking 36:49 What Masking and Code Switching Really Mean 40:12 Generational Code Switching 42:04 Attributional Ambiguity and Workplace “Isms” 44:37 What Gets Lost When We Mask All Day 49:05 Layered Masks Across Cultures, Cities, and Workplaces 51:24 Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Neurodivergence 55:07 “I’m Not Lazy, But I Can’t Keep Living Like This” 59:52 Performative Wellness vs. Real Workplace Wellness 1:05:17 Advocating for Yourself at Work 1:09:21 Green Flags in a Good Therapist 1:13:24 Advice for Women Questioning Neurodivergence 1:17:07 Where to Find Dr. Jillian Lynum 1:18:10 Final Reflections and Closing RESOURCES Mental Health Resources 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Therapy for Black Girls Inclusive Therapists Clinicians of Color Neurodivergent Resources ADDitude Magazine Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE) The Color of Autism Foundation  Understood Job Accommodation Network (JAN) CONNECT WITH US Fan Page: Fanlist.com/BGBGSquirrel  IG: @BGBGSquirrel Threads: @BGBGSquirrel Email: [email protected]