95: Mental Health Crisis in Healthcare: What No One Wants to Admit

In this episode of It’s Your Story to Tell, Megan Babcock sits down with Emily Waterman Glenn to explore a topic that many experience but few are willing to talk about—burnout. Through a heartfelt and honest conversation, Emily shares her deeply personal journey of what it looked like to reach a breaking point in her life and career. As a dedicated professional in the nursing field, she gave her all—until the very thing that once gave her purpose began to leave her depleted.

Emily opens up about the signs she ignored at first—fatigue that wouldn’t go away, emotional numbness, and a quiet, persistent sense that something just wasn’t right. Like so many others, she pushed through, believing that rest could wait. But eventually, her body, her mind, and her spirit said “enough.” It was no longer just stress—it was full-blown burnout. With vulnerability and courage, Emily walks us through the moment she realized she needed to step away and take a mental health leave.

She talks about the internal conflict that came with that decision—the guilt of pausing, the fear of what others would think, and the relief that came with finally honoring her limits. Together, Megan and Emily reflect on the emotional toll burnout takes, especially in caregiving professions, and the danger of tying our worth to our productivity. This conversation is a reminder that burnout is not a weakness—it’s a signal that something must shift. And recognizing it early can be one of the most powerful steps toward healing. This episode offers a safe space for anyone feeling worn out, overwhelmed, or unsure how to keep going.

Emily’s story is raw, relatable, and deeply human—and it might just be the permission someone else needs to pause, breathe, and begin again. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Emily returns to share what recovery really looks like, the mindset shifts that brought her back to life, and how she’s now helping others walk through their own healing journeys.

Connect with Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emily_glenn_/

https://www.facebook.com/emily.w.glenn/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-glenn-coach/