Special Online Event // Breaking the stigma of mental illness// Thurs 18 Oct, 9 30pm

@Zoe7 Thank you. That means a lot.

So like I mentioned, for the last week or so we were taking questions from the community about stigma and How ‘Mad’ Are You? These questions are for Cameron and everyone here with a lived experience in the forum tonight to answer.

So, Cameron and everyone here, we’ve had this question come in from the community: Has mental health effected your applying for a job?

Has mental health affected your applying for a job?

Very much so. Part of the symptoms associated with my diagnosis are that I have difficulty managing certain kinds of stress. It becomes part of the management of my own health to avoid certain situations. High volume and results oriented positions like cold sales would certainly not do my brain any good.

When I was working in a banking position back in the early 2000’s, I didn’t disclose my diagnosis. Anxiety and depression were barely appearing on the corporate radar. Throwing a diagnosis of schizophrenia into the mix would have generated more fear than acceptance back then.

Hi everyone! I unfortunately missed both episodes and I'm kicking myself. It's interesting to hear that it was hard to distinguish between people. Really depends what sort of day you catch people. We all have a fine line between being 'mentally healthy' or 'mentally unheathy'.

Lovely to have you on the forum Cameron and well done for putting your hand up for the show 🙂

As most here already know I am in the process of trying to get back to work and yes my MI has significantly hampered this endeavour. It is a longer, more complicated process for the department I work for as they have concerned around my ability to do the job. I do wonder if I was dealing with a solely physical illness would they have the same concerns.