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Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Returning to work after mental health issues

Are you contemplating the idea of going back to work after experiencing mental health issues ?

Have you recently returned back to work after experiencing mental health issues?

Have you found it difficult or a relatively easy process?

In this Friday's forum we going to talk about the fears and questions that can arise.

Often a person’s self-esteem and confidence have been affected, and they feel incompetent to do their old job, or worse they are now considered by others incompetent to do the work.

There is the worry about how to cope and may be faced questions such as:

Will the workload be too much?

Will they be discriminated against or will colleagues gossip?

Will things be too much and trigger a relapse, or worsen their condition?

These questions and issues are just the tip of the iceberg for people contemplating the idea of going back to work after experiencing mental health issues.

Actually evidence has demonstrated that most fears are really just that—fears—and though they may seem overwhelming, the reality is there are things that can be done to ensure a smoother transition back into work, and these fears minimized.

Please join us this Friday with @Renstar from 10am AEST to answer these questions and more on Career Chat.

@MishT @Sehnsucht and @Former-Member - just tagging you all because you 'Liked' this thread 🙂

45 replies

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In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

@Kurra thanks for this ... It's the kind of information and support we need here ... @Butterfly it is indeed really difficult to go after what you need but ultimately it will change your life for the better
I've seen it with clients of the programs I was talking about earlier .. The change is always the hardest part
But, outcomes can be good ...
Please seek help though, don't do it alone ...

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

@Kurra I would be very interested in your children's resilience program/activities

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

@Butterfly you sound really down at the moment ...

Depression can be so debilitating and it sounds as though you are in the grips of it ...

A new job might be just what you need moving forwards ... it sounds as though it's not ideal (from your notes) since it involves:
- isolation
- lack of support from the team leader
- very poor HR support
- a need to compartmentalise your emotions

... would it be worth revisiting a JSA or DES in your area just to check possibilities?

You really aren't alone just please remember that

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Your wrong I am very much alone.. I am the only one who can fix any of it. I neither have the motivation or the energy to do that at the moment. Funny thing is I have been writing procedures on everything I do since coming back just so when I'm gone the next person in my role doesn't drown...

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

I've certainly been very blessed @Renstar but I've also done a lot of hard work in the background.

I've lost my dream career in the past despite having risen to dizzying heights in my early 20s. Thanks mental illness! I have managed to rebuild a lot of that career but international fame has gone. That's life.

I've moved in other directions and obtained other degrees to have mi tear it all apart once more I now use that knowledge in a volunteer capacity. Always needing to rebuild.

Now I work with the government and have realised that job satisfaction (even cleaning toilets, yes I've done that) comes from within. I remember one of my sons wanting to be a garbage collector as a little lad. I told him that was a great idea as long as he worked hard to be the best garbage collector in the world.

However therein lies the truth. Mo matter what the job is, be the best you can be!

I believe checkout operators play an incredible role in our society. I'll leave you to think about this - how many people do checkout folk see each day who have no one else to talk to? For so many that little bit of chit chat and a smile can be the highlight of someone's day. No I DO NOT use those self serve machines. Each machine is someone who doesn't have a job.

OK I'll get off my soap box now.

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

@Butterfly hi again ... Ok I acknowledge you feel really alone right now

Seeing a counsellor should be the main goal for you right now to get you feeling better ... I hope you have one in place

And ...
.
Maybe it's not about fixing it today or tomorrow maybe it's just about being in the moment until you can manage the situation and you're ready to move forward ...

Btw that's why I work on this forum @Butterfly I am here for you ... To chat and listen ... So are the other guys

Just keep talking to us 😊

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

You see @Renstar yet another advantage of wimping out on work 😃 on a Friday in real time.

I can understand these sessions need to be conducted during your work hours but it's a shame because it precludes those who are working from participating in the real time group discussion.

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Oh so true @Kurra - having these session during work hours isn't ideal but ... I'm a glass half full sort of a forum-contributor 😉
I believe ... At least there's somebody out there!

Also ... Hey I enjoyed your soap box moment, your example is one I've seen in my practice ... People refocusing after having had a mental health crisis

Your philosophy is admirable and it's my goal to help others attain this kind of zen! Not everyone gets there easily ....
How did you do it? What was your process (letting go, refocusing etc)

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

I haven't got the spoons to read through existing comments in thread.
I was parenting up a storm at 10am, sorry I missed it all then. Here now, and somehow, preschooler is now in their trousers and has agreed it is too cold to protest over her overwhelming desire to wear summer dresses.

I want to ask, by what statistics is it 'proven' that the workplace is not a place to fear?

I am confused by that, and as someone who does work, and has been doing so relatively consistently for past 10yrs, it dismisses very much my entire experience.

You disclose, you don't get offered work. Yes, you sometimes do. But is saying that we have nothing to fear, holding employers accountable??

Isn't there statistics to support the fact that mental or chronic illness interrupts schooling, ergo interrupts education, ergo diminishes our opportunity to truly gain equity in respect to our intelligence and desire to obtain skills.

I dare say, a vast majority of people with mental or chronic health issues, are employed on casual contracts. This is something to fear, that is limiting, that doesn't support us. I have for 10years been in an industry, performing to a very high standard, but still to this day I am casual. I have no accrued leave. I get threatened with removal of shifts if I am inconsistent (I am arguing with employers right now over this). And yes, they did specify that illness is not exempt from that standard they wish to uphold.

And if we get sick, and become inconsistent, we get told it was our fault for working too hard. Ummmm.... when we are pushed and valued ONLY by the amount of time we can pitch in. That's pretty much how a casual workforce is expected to be, in my entire working history.

And aren't there statistics that show that those with mental health AREN'T in the workforce?? Hello, what was it the most recent productivity commission found and suggested? That those with disability are NOT being supported back into, or given supports that enable remaining in, the workforce. The commission suggested NDIS, which is being rolled out so slowly and all public mention of how it could benefit those with mental illness, seemed to be the last thing on their list. I haven't heard anything direct, or specific, yet.

Meanwhile, those with mental illness are over represented among the homeless. Does that indicate workplaces being safe? Accessible?

Oh my word I have so much to say on this but during day is such a bad time.

In response to: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

Re: Career Chat // Returning to work // Friday 5 Aug, 10am AEST

@Butterfly, the not checking in when we've been away? That is widespread practice. I mean, it doesn't even work in an employer's favour. Call, and you may have that person come in, in some capacity. Or at least not turn them off from coming in again at all.
I have worked at some places that do chase afger you, and it definitely can be done and definitely works in favour of BOTH parties.
21 - 30 of 45