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

NikNikSenior Contributor04 Aug 2016, 2:12 pm 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

SehnsuchtSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 1:43 pm AEST

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

I have to step back until this evening.

I just need to add, that suggesting that all the discrimination, oppression, and silencing that occurs in the workplace, is 'just a fear'.... is horribly dismissive, and holds employers and society accountable for nothing.

Yet again, here we are, helping ourselves if only we would help ourselves help ourselves help ourselves....

Yet you all say you want to help.
It's why I haven't been on the boards much. It's all good and well that my peers acknowledge me here in this space, but SANE, are you even listening?? What is the point in investing so much of our time in engaging in these conversations, if this is what comes of it?

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

KurraSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:15 pm AEST

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

What were the processes @Renstar? That's a hard one. I can give you all the theory but you know all that anyway says she side stepping the real question.

The first thing that comes to mind is that I was brought up on the "If at first you don't succeed. ......" but I was also taught to think laterally from a young age. My Mum or Dad would say to me when I was being obnoxiously temperamental because I couldn't manage to do something 'Can you think of another way to try? ' I bless my parents for teaching me this skill. I'm also appallingly pig-headed and stubborn but again I was taught to use these normally negative character traits in a positive way. Combined these lessons from childhood have proven to be powerful.

My first career literally got blown up by mental illness. Have I moved past this? On the face of it yes I have but in reality no. It is still a massive loss with many deep seated heart wrenching regrets. I don't allow myself to follow that line of thought very often. It still has the power over me to end in a permanent solution to a temporary problem that is a part of my life history. It is what it is. A huge loss. Nevertheless I've got an incredibly active mind. It really never stops and this eventually allowed me to stop seeing myself as a victim and start taking responsibility for my own mental health.

I looked at other options and other things intrigued me and through an employment agency that specialised in helping people with mental health issues I got a job as a kitchen hand and a part time job cleaning public toilets. At the same time I started considering positions in the public service but with little experience in this field I started another degree in business management with one unit of Psy101. I became enthralled with psychology and transferred to a full psych degree. Fabulous stuff.

By this stage I'd done the public service entry test and got a job still fully supported by the employment agency whilst continuing to study full time. It really helped being manic at the time. Long story short I completed many years of study while still working.

As I mentioned the letting go never really happened but I worked hard on moving forward. Bipolar came to live with me. I didn't choose to live with it so I became medication compliant and did everything I could to live as normal a life as possible at all times maintaing my dignity (except when I was completely off my head) and my integrity.

The old mantras of Unto thy self be true as well as Know thyself have stood me in good stead.

It's a help to have mates who'll kick you up the backside with force when you're behaving like a headless chook or take whatever action is necessary including getting the police in if you really are in a bad way. It's another advantage of being open and honest about my condition.

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

SehnsuchtSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:17 pm AEST

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

@Kurra, got time to read some comments.

I've lately been thinking about how I might go about suggesting that if my employer does have an inclusivity statement, tthat it isn't being actively enforced. And how I might assist them with that. Where did you pull your resources? Was there a particular search string in google that worked best, or a list of organsiations that are best to contact?

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

RenstarSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:35 pm AEST

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

@Sehnsucht thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on the topic

There is no doubt that having a mental illness and trying to work creates a huge number of issues not the least of which is fear

The fears of never finding work again or being discriminated against in the workplace or performing to high standards but never being recognised and therefore fearing that you will never be given permanent employment ... Can all be substantiated by true life experiences where these fears turned out to be justified because the outcome was negative

I don't think anybody would ever be so ignorant as to dismiss them or say that they are ' just fears ... ' which if that is how it has come across has been an appalling lack of communication on my part .

What I was trying to do was acknowledged them as fears and also categorise some fears as actual barriers in other words justifiable fears that become barriers ... But things like discrimination or oppression that occurs in the workplace are all litigious issues that must be stamped out with legal action.

Yet ...

We need to remain realistic ... It takes a lot of energy to fight the good fight.

Couple that with the truth that Mental health issues are not delt with well within the majority of workplaces and a person's fears in this respect, are of course justified. They're a barrier.

Absolutely no argument there.

So what do we do with this barrier ... The justified fear ?

What I have found through my interaction with people experiencing mental health issues with in a Jobsearch environment has been that the more they understand their own needs and the more they understand how to cope with what it is that they are themselves experiencing, the better able they are set up to make focussed choices ... after going through the program they choose work which corresponds with their real needs ... Just as @Kurra mentioned ... Often a refocus is necessary.

That does not mean everybody gets work that is satisfying ! At least initially

And yes that does mean that some people are still left on the outer

However homelessness does not have to be the case

I've worked with people who were able to get a handle on their mental health issues and find the motivation to approach an organisation who was able to Offer them shelter ... However yes mental health consumers are over represented amongst the homeless

I think this is another topic that should be discussed And Doing nothing is not an option

However sometimes meagre efforts are not enough ...

When you make comments about SANE not listening I think that's what you're referring to ... But it's a societal problem and one which needs to be addressed culturally and socially.

SANE does their part, supported by government. You're right overall it's not enough because it's a societal issue ...

The truth is that more and more of the population will suffer mental health issues in their lifetime ... depression and anxiety are on the rise and time off from work to address mental health will become the norm ... Maybe then it will be easier

Until then we can work on ourselves, ask for help, make noise so people will listen ... And never dismiss how truly frightening it is out there.

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

KurraSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:36 pm AEST

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

I've been pondering how to reply to you @Sehnsucht
You mentioned you've been working as a casual for 10 years. I got the impression that this has been with the same employer.

As for the inclusivity statement I'd be looking very closely at the policy behind that statement and just how carefully that policy has been worded. Some are so fluid that actual interpretations are almost infinite. I'd also be looking at the discrimination act with a fine tooth comb. I'm very much a 'leave no stone unturned ' person.

I'm not sure if you're with govt or private sector. Regardless the sort of things you've mentioned about inconsistency etc could be deemed as threatening by a reasonable person. It does come down to perception.

Let me do a bit of research on this and I'll get back to you. I'd also suggest you look at all the material on the fair work commission site for a starting point. I'd also suggest you make yourself aware of the difference between direct and indirect discrimination as well as overt and covert bullying /mobbing.

Give me a few days and I'll think on this more. These are the things that I've used in my own life. I'm not speaking professionally so add a dose of salts as well. 😉

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

KurraSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:46 pm AEST

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

Action is empowering!

I became homeless because of mental illness. It's no fun but it is possible to move from being a fringe dweller to an accepted and respected member of society bit you need to be prepared for a lot of hard yakka.

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

RenstarSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:47 pm AEST

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

Just wanting to acknowledge the great contributions of @Kurra, @Sehnsucht, @Buttertfly and @AJ2 today

Sometimes the forums ask more questions than they answer and I don't profess to be a knowledge source on every topic which a why I'm so humbled by and grateful for the fantastic contributions you've all made ...

As it's now time for me to exit the forum I'll say good-bye for now ... I see some great connections are being made and hopefully you've felt supported in today's forum. Please continue to chat as its open u til 4.

Happy weekend 😊

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

SehnsuchtSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:51 pm AEST

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

@Kurra, many employers. It's just that at this point in my life, with support from partner and need for stability for our two girls, hopping from place to place in hope to find inclusion and run from guilt that I have missed a shift here and there, is not an option. Besides, the industry I work is notorious for not recognising and appreciating years of experience, MI or not. WorkChoices and the completely inappropriate Award we are placed under have a lot to answer for that.

I am getting quite familiar with overt vs covert discrimination atm, their policy regarding shift removals was one I took to them, with discrimination act overview and workplace agreement highlighted in relevant places.
I'm more interested in how I get them to listen.

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

KurraSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:52 pm AEST

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

Make sure you have a wonderful weekend @Renstar and thanks for your leadership 👏

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

SehnsuchtSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 2:52 pm AEST

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

Oh and want to add, that such information, about how discrimination actually manifests and may look, is what would be incredibly useful and empowering for those with an MI. Acknowledge it, give us the words and resources to advocate for ourselves.

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