For many Black women, fear of failure takes a heavy toll on mental health No one wants to fail at work, but for many Black professionals, the fear of failure is magnified Shellene Drakes-Tull. Globe And Mail Oct 1, 2024 7:30 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message "No one wants to fail at work, but for many Black women professionals, the fear of failure is magnified. In addition to facing personal setbacks, Black women may feel they need to represent their communities and break barriers in unwelcoming environments.
" Christina @ wocintechchat.com Listen to this article 00:07:58 Amie Archibald-Varley remembers being bullied by her boss to the point that she would hide in her office. “I would hear her coming down the hallway, and I would turn off the lights in my office or hide underneath my desk to the point where I was having panic attacks,” says Ms.
Archibald-Varley, a nurse, educator and mental health advocate based in Kitchener, Ont. Though she tried to stand up for herself, the yelling and disrespectful language were relentless. “I had to take a mental health leave from work.
It was probably the worst time in my entire life.” Ms. Archibald-Varley’s feelings of anxiety and fear were intensified because she felt that as a nurse and a Black woman, failure wasn’t an option.
“You’re working with people, and making a mistake can be fatal,” she says. “There’s a level of perfectionism in health care, parti.
