I will be very honest in saying that my mental health is something I have struggled with for most of my adult life.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, but I was never told, and it went untreated until my early 30s. That brought up a lot of difficult moments in my childhood, teens, and life as a young adult. So often, I felt stupid or weird. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t focus, why I would start a million projects and never finish them, or why I had “brain fog” so often. I knew I was smart and creative, but I couldn’t see it translated in a way that felt "normal".

So I built up coping strategies and kept moving forward, like most people do. That can help you survive, but thriving, that can become more difficult for many; including myself at times.

We are all carrying something heavy. Whether it’s childhood trauma, stress from parenting, burnout at work, or just trying to keep it all together, there is always something there. And the truth is: no one can do it all alone.

I’ve always believed in therapy. I’m a huge champion for speaking to someone; someone who can listen, help you sort through your thoughts, and offer fresh perspectives. Because that’s where the growth starts. But realistically, therapy can feel hard to access. Maybe you think you don’t have time. Perhaps you live in a new country and don't understand the system. Maybe it feels expensive. Or, maybe it’s just emotionally exhausting trying to find the right person, like dating, except way more personal. I have fallen into all of these thoughts often. 🫣

Those are all valid feelings when avoiding it.

But a couple of years ago, our People & Culture team decided looking at how we could make it better. How could we try to remove some of those barriers? Could we offer support that was accessible, affordable for the company, and approachable even for those who were hesitant?

That’s when we found OpenUp.

What is OpenUp?

OpenUp is a platform that gives our team, and their immediate families, access to licensed psychologists, mindfulness experts, and lifestyle coaches. It’s built for modern, international teams like ours and it helped remove some of the barriers we identified of finding help. In OpenUp you can schedule a session quickly, choose from over 35+ languages, and access support on your own terms. Whether it’s a private 1:1 conversation, a guided mindfulness session, or reading articles and resources on topics that matter to you and where you are.

And from my experience, it works. But, it also seems to be working for my colleagues as well.

Over half of our colleagues are actively using OpenUp. Right now, our team is getting help in six different languages, with the most common themes being:    • Relationships & identities • Stress & resilience • Mindfulness & awareness

Real People, Real Impact

Hearing it directly from our colleagues makes all the difference. 

“My experience has been more than great. They’ve helped me with mindfulness, which I’m doing daily now, and I’ve also spoken with a psychologist who’s helping me a lot.” — Sales colleague

“I talked to a psychologist who really helped me work through some personal aspects, and it gave me a deeper understanding of myself. I grew as a person, and professionally I could be more present at work. I also used it to discuss performance anxiety, which is super common for sales reps.” — Sales colleague

“OpenUp really helped me by giving me the chance to talk openly about my problems with someone who could provide an objective perspective. They not only listened carefully but also helped me explore real solutions. The support felt professional, caring, and valuable.” — Family member of a colleague

And for me personally?

“I have a habit of putting others’ needs and well-being before my own. It’s just how I’m wired. I used to say, ‘I don’t have time.’ But OpenUp made it incredibly easy. The people you talk to are warm, genuine, kind, and you can tell they care. Plus, I love the articles, the masterclasses, and the mindfulness sessions. They’re amazing.” — Me (Justin Swedlund)

Breaking the Stigma

We were curious at first. Would people actually use this kind of thing?

As we found out, turns out, they do. Quite often.

But, there’s still stigma in many places around getting help. We are hoping that by making it easier, inclusive, and supported by Oneflow, that we are helping eliminate that stigma. Highlighting that we all need help; mental, emotional, and even physical. Because everything’s connected.

And it’s not just for our colleagues. It extends to their immediate families as well. Because your life is not just work. Your immediate family has a great impact on you, and you theirs. Making sure everyone has the help they need, hopefully, shows our colleagues we do care about them and that we ALL need help at times navigating the craziness of life.

Built for International Teams

We are also global. We know that colleagues in other countries may sometimes feel disconnected, or that they are on their own little Oneflow Island. This is why OpenUp fits us. We are not all in one place. We speak different languages. We face different pressures. And OpenUp was made with that in mind. It adapts to each individual and their needs

Our colleagues can choose the language they prefer at the time that suits them. They then can pick their focus, whether it’s performance, parenting, identity, stress, relationships, confidence, or just needing to talk.

And then: talk. Or listen. Or breathe.

Whatever is needed in that moment.

Moving forward

I still have a long way to go in my mental health journey. Transparently though, I don’t think it will ever have an end. I am okay with that. I know that we are all growing and learning and that will never stop. That also means there will always be new challenges and stresses.

Our goal here is to not provide a “one-stop-shop” for our colleagues' mental health, or a replacement for in-person services, but to offer a place where people can begin their journey to better health. A place that they can come back to when they need it, and a place that feels safe and runs on their terms.  My goal here is to not sell OpenUp to others, but to be transparent about one way Oneflow is trying to offer a way for our incredible colleagues to thrive. Both within work and outside. What I genuinely want though, is that we all do what we can to take care of ourselves and to those around us.

So, I am thankful that Oneflow found OpenUp and I am thankful that they are investing in a way for our colleagues to explore ways to improve their mental health and move forward in making magic here.