Many years ago, I had to take some time off work for depression. I had a sick note from the doctor, and had disclosed that it was mental health–related. After two weeks, when I was just starting to feel like I could cope again, my colleagues invited me out for the evening. I wanted to remain welded to my sofa, but I decided to go as a way of easing myself back into my routine.
What I’ve Learned from Talking About My Bipolar Disorder at Work
Around one in four of us will be affected by poor mental health in our lifetimes. That means many of us have to learn to cope with mental health issues in the context of work. However, almost none of us will feel free to discuss those issues at the office or to seek support from our employers or colleagues. What we have to do is break the ice, face the elephant in the room, and start talking openly about mental health in the workplace — but it’s not easy. Leaders in particular may fear being seen as weak for disclosing mental health conditions like bipolar disorder. While it is entirely up to each individual what they disclose and when, the more that organizations support the open discussion of mental health issues, the more we’ll foster trust and respect in the workplace.