AdMonth 2025: The Creative Mind and Mental Health
Written By
Emmy Cowan
Copy Chair
Every October, AAF Buffalo celebrates the advertising and creative community with AdMonth – a month-long series of events designed to inspire, educate and bring creatives together.
We kicked off Admonth 2025 with an important topic: mental health. Our workshop, led by Rochester-based duo Thriving Creatively, tapped into the relationship between mental health and creative output—something our attendees understood firsthand.
Barney and Alisha Abramson tag-teamed this topic with stellar clarity. Barney, a seasoned creative director, shared his own experience with burnout in a high-stress, in-house environment. Alisha, a licensed therapist, complemented his stories with her professional take on ways to handle these tough moments—and the risk of ignoring burnout and imposter syndrome.
According to research presented by Thriving Creatively, 84% of creatives experience imposter syndrome regularly. Attendees at our AdMonth workshop agreed. Throughout the evening, members shared stories of their own experiences with burnout, anxiety and imposter syndrome at work. This event gave attendees practical tools for navigating stressful times, while also serving as a safe space for people to open up, ask questions and find comfort in shared experiences.
As mental health continues to become a bigger conversation, we’re proud to have partnered with such a wonderful local resource. Until next time, thank you Thriving Creatively!
