Mental Health and Employment

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By Rachel

In November 2017 the UK Government issued a document, “Staying healthy and being happy at work – A report about mental health and employers” (*1). The aim is to inform you about how your employer, the government and any other groups can help support you in work.

Essentially the report found that there are more people working with mental health conditions than ever before. However, each year 300,000 people with a long-term mental health condition lose their job, which is actually higher than for those with a physical health condition.

What I also want to point out is that mental health doesn’t just affect the person with the condition but also the loved ones around them. When I was inpatient for my mental health as a teenager, my Mum had to take over a year off work, due to her own stress but to also ensure she could attend ward rounds, reviews and emergency meetings. My Dad was also feeling the stress, along with my younger sibling, who was essentially trying to grow up in a household where the focus at times was largely on me.

Support at work makes a massive difference

The report goes on to say that mental health sickness absence is costing employers £33 billion and £42 billion each year! So it makes a massive difference when we are looked after in the workplace. And, whether a walk around the office or a brew away from your desk, small bursts of a different environment help!

We are lucky in the fact that we have access to free NHS treatment. However, there are long waiting lists and even going private can cost on average £30–40 per session. The cost of poor mental health, on average, to the UK is between £73 billion and £97 billion each year.

Mind recognises, in “How to support staff who are experiencing a mental health problem” (*2), that we need to be comfortable speaking about mental health in order to approach it appropriately. I think if someone came up to me and just came out with, “You look depressed… wanna chat about it!?” I’d have happily laughed in their face and told them where to go. It’s having the correct tools in place and staff not just having training, but also having that compassion and actually wanting to sit and listen. End of the day, anyone can do a training course.

I’ve had different types of employers. That’s the diplomatic way of putting it. I’ve had an employer who used my mental health, to their advantage essentially, to boost their ego in the community. Essentially, this nearly killed me. I was trod on and left to rot once they had what they needed.

Mental Health First Aid at work

There is a push for mental health first-aiders, and rightly so. The training doesn’t make that person(s) qualified in diagnosis, but it does give them the tools to spot signs and possibly catch something before it escalates. With 1 in 4 people being affected at some point, I think it shows how vital that go-to person can be. Work can sometimes show a side of us we don’t realise, especially when under stress. So the question is, do you have a mental health first-aider? If yes, then do you know who it is, if no, why not, and do you think you could be that person? (https://mhfaengland.org/)

I’ve been lucky, though, and had understanding employers. I get that at times I’ve not been easy to work with, or people haven’t really known where they stood, but over time I have worked on this and believe this shows in my most recent job, a job that I love. I am pleased to see an employer that is working hard to push mental health, and the understanding of mental health, both for employees and the young people we work with.

Work is my motivator

So for me, working with a long-term mental health condition is at times hard, but I’ve found being open has helped. It’s hard, yes, but it’s helped. I think what’s hard for me is that my weight is a noticeable factor at times: not all the time, but it can be a giveaway. I suppose I worry about being judged or people wondering if I can do my job effectively. Work is my motivator and my drive to stay well, and the services involved with my care have always made note of this. However, just because I work, it doesn’t mean I’m always okay. I try damn hard every day, and I need to give myself more credit for when things are going smoothly.

I’m lucky that my employers do have a mental health first-aider and that we have a wellbeing team. Work are being proactive in looking after everyone’s mental health. It’s good to see, and it’s something other employers need to be following in the footsteps of.

My mental health does not define me. It is a small part of me. It has actually given me the drive to be in the role I currently am. I love going to work; I love being in work. At times, I’ve had to work twice as hard to prove myself, but it has been worth it.

Talking is key

For those of you who are struggling in work, please find the courage to speak to someone, anyone; you will be surprised who is willing to listen. If you’re worried about someone, speak to them, not behind their back, to them. They are a person at the end of the day. There is nothing worse than overhearing a conversation about you. Take the time to check in with your colleagues; it is appreciated, even if at the time it doesn’t seem like it.

Work can be such a good motivator for some. I understand not everybody can be in work when their mental health is poor. Please don’t feel discouraged if you can’t. It may not happen for you today, tomorrow or next month, but it will come. These changes take time, but the main thing is, you keep putting one foot in front of the other. You’ve got this; we’ve got this.

(*1) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/663564/thriving-at-work-stevenson-farmer-review-easy-read.pdf
(*2) https://www.mind.org.uk/media/550657/resource4.pdf

Reproduced with permission, originally posted on thejourneyback2life