Trademark Administrators Committee Hosts First Mental Health Idea Exchange on Managing Burnout

The Trademark Administrators Committee (TMA Committee) recently hosted an engaging virtual Idea Exchange: Preventing & Managing Burnout: A Continued Conversation with Personal Stories and Practical Insights. This conversation followed a successful in-person session at the 2024 Trademark Administrator and Practitioner (TMAP) Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Nurturing Resilience: Strategies for Managing Burnout in the Workplace, which included a presentation by Schimen Scott, Education and Training Manager for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (USA).

Burnout—exhaustion that results from prolonged stress—manifests differently for everyone. It isn’t just a personal challenge; it impacts teams, organizations, and communities.

TMA Committee member, Kristen Merker (Netflix, USA), moderated the discussion, along with panelists Katie Rose (Yoon & Yang (IP) LLC, South Korea), Shama Elliott (PwC, USA), and Yann Alexandre Correia (Daniel Law, Brazil). They shared diverse perspectives on the challenges of workplace burnout, offering insights based on personal experiences and strategies that have helped them navigate burnout in both virtual and in-person work environments.

Discussion topics included the impact of the shift between virtual and in-person work environments. The conversation then transitioned to the importance of community, support networks, company culture, and corporate responsibility, setting the stage for breakout room discussions.

Drawing on her experience as both external and in-house counsel, Ms. Elliott explained how she discovered the importance of having strategic tools, support, and resources in place, such as utilizing GenAI (Generative AI) tools to perform routine tasks efficiently, receiving leadership support that encourages open communication to manage workloads, and utilizing company resources, such as employee wellness programs, to assist with mental health needs. For Ms. Rose, community and support networks were crucial in combating burnout: “I think it’s incredibly important for us to have outlets outside ourselves. It’s this idea of knowing that we’re not just alone in it. It’s about having people that we can be vulnerable with and building relationships, especially with people with whom we can completely be ourselves. It’s about reaching out for help and helping others.”

Mr. Correia emphasized the significance of burnout prevention strategies, particularly prioritizing self-care, highlighting the positive impact of having team members who foster inclusive and supportive environments: “Many minorities often feel the need to hide important parts of themselves at work, which can be incredibly exhausting and contribute to burnout.”

Mr. Correia explained how he developed a morning routine that included reducing his coffee intake, incorporating physical exercise, and practicing meditation—strategies that significantly improved his sleep habits. He said, “I also try not to beat myself up if I can’t follow my routine perfectly all the time. Life is unpredictable. What’s important is the ability to bounce back and keep moving forward.

Ms. Elliot emphasized the value of docket organization and advanced preparation before peak work cycles to stay ahead of statutory deadlines and create space for unexpected matters. She shared, “It helps to reduce stress when I feel ahead of things that I can control!”

Meanwhile, as a type-A, detail-oriented person and “recovering perfectionist,” Ms. Rose has been working on refining where and how to divide her energy, focusing on progress rather than perfection in day-to-day activities.

In discussing what employers can do to support mental health initiatives and help reduce burnout in the trademark profession, Ms. Elliott expressed a desire to see more employers implement mental health wellness programs and promote the use of “mental health days.” She emphasized, “It can be a smart business strategy that benefits both employees and the company.”

Ms. Rose encouraged individuals to be aware of what is happening in their environment and those around them: “When it comes to burnout, no one wants to lose a good worker. Some of the simplest first steps an employer can take are to have their employees actually use their time off and initiate and encourage communication. Really listen and take action so that others feel heard, seen, and know that what they say matters.”

By openly addressing mental health, the Idea Exchange fostered an immediate sense of connection among its global participants, with many attendees expressing their gratitude even after the session ended.

The information provided in this article is for general purposes only and is not legal, professional, or mental health advice. INTA is not a mental health provider. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, consult a qualified professional for advice.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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