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.
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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.
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