Each week we publish blog posts on a whole range of topics, relating in some way to mental health — written by Mind staff, service users and health and policy professionals. Some blog posts may not reflect official Mind policy.
We welcome comments and questions on our posts, but have a few ground rules to keep the site welcoming and interesting to every body. The first rule is the most important: be respectful of other commenters and bloggers.
Despite achieving success in her job and having the support of an understanding manager, our guest blogger Natalie still finds the need to put on a brave face at work.
2 CommentsPauline from our Legal Unit blogs about what we've been doing to help employers understand the impact of mental health problems on staff and encourage a culture of openness in the workplace. .
Even sympathetic employers sometimes find it hard to understand mental health problems. This guest blog vividly illustrates some of the barriers to disclosing a mental health problem at work, on the same day Mind and the CIPD release new guidance for employers.
Here’s the thing. I have a complex mental condition. Here’s the other thing. I have worked in a challenging and responsible job since 2002. My caseload includes a number of clients with the same mental health disorder as me.
So when I was assessed and finally diagnosed just 10 months ago, I decided that I would be open and honest with my employers about the nature of my ‘issues’. Given that I had taken considerable time off since 2007, as I struggled with what then was an unknown problem, I believed that this would be the most productive way forward.
17 CommentsGuest post from Judith, on mental health discrimination in the workplace
I've had a history of depression since I was a teenager. I had to spend several months as an inpatient in my teens. However, with support and medication I learnt to manage my problems. I moved away from home, got my A-levels and went to University.
21 CommentsThis is a guest post, part of our series on mental health at work.
You wake up to the sound of your alarm clock. Not fully awake, you get up, get ready and make your way to work, perhaps thinking about all the things – big and small – that await you there.
1 CommentGuest blog from John Binns, Partner at accounting and consultancy firm Deloitte. The post is part of our series on mental health at work.
I was pleased to speak at Mind’s business summit this Tuesday, which brought together a range of employers to explore the challenges and solutions to addressing mental heath in the workplace. I shared my personal experience as a partner in the leading professional services firm Deloitte.
In 2007, I experienced a period of significant depression. It meant me taking two months off work, and it changed forever how I and Deloitte see and respond to colleagues with mental health difficulties.
16 CommentsThis guest blog is part of a series on mental health at work; our Taking care of business campaign.
You’re not going to like my answer… ‘no’, not at the moment.
I’m writing under the pseudonym of Julie because I have (or had) a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (extreme worry) and depression.
3 CommentsThis guest blog is part of our series on mental health at work for Mind's Taking care of business campaign.
Teresa*, a communications specialist for a large retail organisation returned to work in February after a brief stay in hospital. Two days later, a colleague asked how she was feeling.
1 CommentThis guest blog post by Eugene Farrell, is part of our series on mental health at work for Mind's Taking care of business campaign.
Looking after the physical and psychological health of employees should be of paramount importance to employers. The people who work for them are arguably their most important asset and should be looked after. It’s just good business sense. Physical and psychological health are equally important, as indeed are the working environment and the job. Employers should be vigilant in safeguarding their employees.
2 CommentsThis is the first in a series of guest blogs on mental health at work, part of our Taking care of business campaign.
Imagine that 4 years ago you were off work for a number of weeks with a heart condition. Since that time you have been on medication to keep any further problems under control but you have not had a day off through illness. There have been no issues with your work or interactions with colleagues and everything is going well.
7 CommentsThis is a guest post from Mary Boughton, Health and Safety Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses
Stress and anxiety affects us all and can be difficult to deal with, especially in the workplace where there is more pressure to meet targets and deadlines. As employers, we can be unsure of the best way to approach and deal with a member of staff that might suffer from mental health issues in the workplace.
7 CommentsI get asked this question all the time, along with where is the return on investment? And how much will it cost me? We should be turning this around now and asking "Why are you not doing wellbeing?" This seems to be a much more important question today.
1 Comment