In this episode of Lock It Down with Security Magazine, I sit down with John Rodriguez to discuss the relationship between security work and mental health. Rodriguez is the Founder of Empathic Security Cultures LLC, an organization guiding security leaders to combine existing security and business practices with positive human connection.

The topic of mental health is a crucial one, as security team burnout is a top challenge for many organizations. Those in the industry know stressors can be abundant when working security roles, and without proper mental health practices in place, many professionals can burn out. And when one team member burns out, it's possible that more will follow. 

“We’re pretty much [on] 24/7, being security professionals,” says Rodriguez.

The constant sense of alertness and responsiveness many security professionals feel can eventually lead to mental fatigue. Combining these stressors with the regular, daily mental strains that the average person experiences in their own personal lives, a security professional’s mental health could decline. 

“We have our personal lives, and we’re human beings, and we have the same needs and the same weaknesses mentally and emotionally that everybody else does,” Rodriguez explains.

Security leaders can promote a culture of wellness to support their teams and prevent burnout. Rodriguez shares ways leaders can support their teams, and many of them come back to a similar foundation: relationships. 

“We’re relational beings, and we depend on people since infancy to survive,” Rodriguez states. “The term ‘psychological safety,’ where we can we’re open to discuss and debate and agree in a professional, caring way, is one indicator of a great team.” 

Do you want to learn more about how to boost the mental health on your team? Listen to my conversation with Rodriguez here: 

Key Signs of Mental Health Struggles in Security

John Rodriguez, Founder of Empathic Security Cultures LLC, shares why mental health is so crucial in security.

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