Shannon Kobylarczyk Calls Attention to Hidden Mental Health Strain on Wisconsin’s Working Families

• Attorney and former corporate legal executive Shannon Kobylarczyk, based in Wisconsin, urges local employers and families to treat mental health as a core part of daily life, not an afterthought.

Wisconsin, US, 22nd January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Attorney and former corporate legal executive Shannon Kobylarczyk is calling on Wisconsin communities to confront a growing issue that often remains invisible behind office doors and closed front doors: the mental health strain on working adults who are also caregivers.

Drawing on her own experience balancing a demanding legal career with family responsibilities and a child’s serious medical condition, Kobylarczyk frames the problem as both personal and systemic.

“Too many professionals in Wisconsin are carrying intense workloads at the office and at home, but only one of those shows up in their job description,” said Kobylarczyk. “By the time the stress is visible to others, it is often already a crisis for that person and their family.”

Recent regional trends suggest that the pressure is rising:

• In Wisconsin, tens of thousands of adults report symptoms of anxiety or depression in a typical year, with many also managing work and caregiving at the same time.

• Local providers in the greater Milwaukee and Green Bay areas report wait times of weeks or months for non urgent mental health appointments.

• National studies have found that working parents of children with serious health needs are significantly more likely to experience burnout compared to peers.

• Employers across the Midwest continue to expand hybrid and flexible work options, but many employees still feel they must appear “always on” to be seen as committed.

 

Kobylarczyk notes that high achieving professionals can be especially at risk.

“People who are used to pushing through in school, in sports, and in their careers are often the last ones to admit they need help,” she explained. “They tell themselves they can handle one more project, one more late night, one more crisis, until something finally gives.”

Her own turning point came after years of prioritizing the needs of colleagues, family members, and community commitments ahead of her own wellbeing.

“I wish I had treated therapy and rest the same way I treated a board meeting or a filing deadline,” Kobylarczyk said. “If it is not on the calendar, it is the first thing to go when life gets busy, and life is almost always busy.”

She argues that the conversation about success in places like Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Jackson needs to change.

“In Wisconsin, we take pride in hard work and loyalty,” she added. “Those are strengths, but they can become risks if we treat asking for help as a failure instead of a smart, responsible step.”

 

Local action list: 10 steps people can take this week

Kobylarczyk encourages working adults, especially caregivers, to focus on simple, local actions rather than waiting for a perfect moment.

1. Schedule one appointment
   Book a check in with a primary care doctor or mental health professional, even if it is just a first conversation.

2. Block one true break on your calendar
   Protect at least one hour this week as non negotiable time for rest, a walk, or quiet reading.

3. Tell one trusted person how you are really doing
   Share an honest update with a partner, friend, or colleague instead of the usual “I’m fine.”

4. Review your employer benefits
   Look at your company’s health plan, employee assistance program, and time off policies to see what support is already available.

5. Shorten one commitment
   If you usually stay late by default, pick one day to leave on time and practice setting a boundary.

6. Create a simple “signal” at home
   Agree with family members on a phrase or sign that means “I am overwhelmed and need a short reset,” and respect it when it is used.

7. Limit one source of stress media
   Reduce doom scrolling or constant news for a few days and see how your mood responds.

8. Connect with another caregiver
   Reach out to a parent, friend, or colleague who is also juggling medical, school, or elder care responsibilities and swap practical tips.

9. Write down your top three non negotiables
   List the three things you want to protect each week, such as sleep, one family meal, or a workout, and plan around them.

10. Take one small step at work
    Ask about flexible hours, clarify priorities with your manager, or suggest a check in about workload and wellbeing.

 

How to find trustworthy local resources

Kobylarczyk recommends that Wisconsin residents look for help close to home, using a few simple filters:

• Start with known networks
  Ask your primary care clinic, health system, or your child’s care team for names of local mental health providers.

• Use your insurance directory carefully
  Search your plan’s in network list, then call to confirm that providers are accepting new patients and working with adults, children, or families as needed.

• Check employer resources
  Many companies offer confidential counselling through employee assistance programs, as well as referrals to community services.

• Look for reputable local organisations
  Seek out established hospitals, community health centres, and recognised nonprofits rather than unverified online offers.

• Pay attention to fit
  It is acceptable to try more than one therapist or support group before you find the right match for your situation.

“Big change often starts with one small, local step,” Kobylarczyk said. “You do not have to fix everything this week. You only have to decide that your mental health belongs on the list.”

Kobylarczyk encourages every reader in Wisconsin to choose one concrete action from the local list and complete it within the next seven days, whether that is booking an appointment, having a real conversation with a friend, or reviewing available benefits at work.

“Success is not just about how much you can handle,” she said. “It is about whether you are still standing in a way that lets you enjoy the life you are working so hard to build. Take one local step today to protect that.”

 

About Shannon Kobylarczyk

Shannon Kobylarczyk is an attorney and former corporate legal executive based in Wisconsin. She began her career in accounting after earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Norbert College, then completed a part time Juris Doctor at Marquette University Law School while working full time and raising two young children. She later served in senior in house legal roles with responsibility for securities, corporate governance, ethics and compliance, and trademark matters. Her lived experience as a working mother and caregiver informs her focus on mental health, nontraditional education paths, and sustainable definitions of success.