This forum featured guest experts Natasha Silverbell and Jane Mintz, along with our host Chris
Yonker, CFBA to discuss mental health and addiction in the context of personal development
and family dynamics. We emphasized the importance of not merely labeling behaviors but
understanding their impacts on families and businesses. Our discussion highlighted the need
for empathy, open communication, and self-regulation, stressing that everyone—from family
members to business advisors—plays a crucial role in supporting healing and improvement.
Overall, our focus was on taking personal responsibility for wellness and the transformative
power of supportive communities.

Understanding Beyond Labels

We discussed how crucial it is to not to get hung up on labeling behaviors
simply as "addiction" but to look deeper at how these behaviors impact
personal relationships and business environments. Finding the right help to
get your family on a path of open and empathetic communication can help
address the root causes and effects on a family or organizational system.

The Role of Self-Regulation

Self-regulation emerged as a key theme, with emphasis on its importance
not just in overcoming personal challenges but also in fostering healthy
family and business dynamics. Managing one’s emotional responses can
greatly influence the overall health of relationships and professional
interactions.

Crafting Your Suppor System

Building and maintaining a strong support system is vital not only to
individuals, but the family as a whole. This system should include
professionals, advisors, family members, and peers who can offer
guidance and support through challenges, particularly those related to
mental health and addiction. We also talked about what advisors could
do to find the right help for their clients when there is a complex or
sensitive challenge outside of their scope.

1. Prioritize Empathy in Communication:
Emphasize the importance of understanding and empathetic communication within family and
business interactions to address and resolve underlying issues more effectively.

2. Encourage Regular Mental Health Check-ins:
Advocate for routine mental health assessments within family businesses to identify and address issues early, before they escalate into more significant problems.

3. Implement Self-Regulation Practices:
Find professionals to provide training on self-regulation techniques for family members and
business leaders to help manage stress, improve personal resilience, and foster a more supportive working environment.

4. Establish a Strong Support Network:
Encourage the formation or strengthening of a support network that includes mental health
professionals, experienced advisors, and peer support groups to provide necessary resources and assistance.

5. Foster a Culture of Openness and Non-Judgment:
Work towards creating an environment where family members and business partners feel safe to express their concerns and challenges without fear of judgment, thereby promoting transparency and trust.

The next Family Business Executive Forum, Closing the Gap and Creating Your Most
Impactful Company Culture: How Family Leaders Can Work Together to Weave Innovation and
Legacy Even When You’re At a Generational Standstill, takes place on June 25th at 12pm ET. Visit here to register.

Connect with:

Jane Mintz: Janemintz.com

Natasha Silver Bell: Silverbellglobal.com

Chris Yonker: Chrisyonker.com

fambizforum.com.