When the Red Light Fades: A CPA's Honest Reflections on Mental Health and Work Culture
The Conversation We’re Long Overdue to Have
Two weeks before my first partnership interview, I was hospitalised for the first time. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 34. No roadmap. No playbook. Just a blinking red light on my BlackBerry and a career I didn’t want to lose.
I shared this story during my keynote at CPA Canada’s ONE National Conference. It was one of the most honest stages I’ve stood on—because the accounting world is still catching up to the reality that mental health and ambition do not cancel each other out.
Boundaries Aren’t Weakness. They’re Survival.
For years, I lived in fear that if I slowed down, I’d fall behind. That someone else would take my place. That asking for help would make me replaceable. But hustle culture doesn’t reward boundaries—it punishes them.
Reels from the conference capture that tug-of-war. Moments like the one where I reflected on working from 8 to 7 and still logging on at night. Or the moment I spoke about the shame of taking time off to heal. Each one represents a shift in how I’ve come to define worth.
Healing Isn’t a Solo Job
The second time I returned to work after a mental health episode, my boss brought in a psychologist to help my team support me. That changed everything. Because mental health doesn’t just affect the individual—it lives in the room, in the team, in the tone of every meeting.
I started using communication tiers (emails, texts, calls) to reduce overstimulation. I learned to walk through spaces where I once felt shame, and instead, speak honestly about what recovery actually looks like.
“Mental health doesn’t just affect the individual—it lives in the room, in the team, in the tone of every meeting.”
Wisdom from the Room
I wasn’t the only one sharing lived experience. Researchers, leaders, and fellow CPAs offered their own take:
"Burnout is not just about workload. It's about feeling like your work no longer matters."
—Meredi, Mental Health Researcher"Returning employees to work after burnout isn't just about reducing their workload, it's about retraining managers on what support actually looks like."
—Scott Olson, KPMG Canada"CPAs are wired for perfectionism. But perfectionism is often a mask for anxiety."
—Lindsey Stevenson, CPA turned Psychologist
These perspectives helped validate what so many of us feel but rarely say out loud.
This is How We Break the Cycle
The old metrics of success can no longer be the only ones that count. Not if we want to keep good people. Not if we want to stay well.
I’m grateful to Meredi, Scott Olson and Lindsey Stevenson for helping lead this conversation with courage. And to everyone who came up to me after the talk, thank you. Your stories stay with me.
The work continues. And so do we.
This post reflects Shak’s personal experience and is meant to inspire, not prescribe. Everyone’s mental health journey is different. Take what resonates, and leave the rest.
Crystal Ball Reflection
If you're afraid to pause, to say "I'm not okay," or to slow down—you're not alone. What if rest isn’t a setback, but the beginning of something more sustainable?
With empathy,
Shak
Feel free to check out more blog posts or follow along on Instagram for lived insights, tools, and support.
Haven’t subscribed yet?
Join the Bipolar Empath Community!
SHAK TODAY
Shak is pursuing his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) and will start his practicum in January. He's involved with the Canadian Mental Health Association and he's working on turning his blog, Bipolar Empath, into a book while managing his accounting business.
Stay tuned for more updates on Shak’s journey and the impact he continues to make in the mental health community!
