A friend sent me a link (which I’ll put below) of a radio
show talking about mental health in the work place. It was very interesting and
just got me thinking. In the text of what the segment was about, it asks “would
you tell your boss you had depression”.
No. Why disclose something like that? They will treat you
differently, either for the better or the worse. You would get no privacy. They
would be watching everything you do.
This is what I first thought.
Prior to my hospitalization, when I was misdiagnosed with
major depressive disorder, the option of telling my employer was just not in my
mind. The concept of doing this was so.. I don’t know.. Just didn’t seem right.
I didn’t understand why someone would do that, wouldn’t you be putting your job
in jeopardy? Even when I got my bipolar diagnosis and I had my hospital experience
I didn’t think I would tell anyone.
Thinking back, I don’t remember when exactly I decided to
tell them. I just remember feeling like I was keeping in this huge part of
myself that was choking me. Trying to hide this was getting to be too much.
Once I told them I felt so much better. They have been great with it. I get a
lot of support, which I think is very important. I think someone with a mental
disorder should get the chance to have support in all aspects of their life. I’m
happy that I’m able to keep a job where I am comfortable with who I am and what
I have to deal with. I’m lucky that I have this.
Last week I was present when someone said to a group of
people that mentally unstable people should not be on disability (more was said
but I’m not going to get into that). This statement is so wrong. I cannot
express enough how much this effects my life. It effects anyone who has a
mental disorder, deeply. I am lucky. I am able to work. But, there are many
people out there who are not able to function in the work place. Do you think
these people are happy about being on disability? No, they want to be out
working like everyone else. Trust me, I’m sure anyone with a mental disorder
wishes that they didn’t have it. Cause it’s not fun.
I’m working on another post about having a mental disorder
in college, which I will post possibly tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Link to the radio show:
I wish "walk a mile in my shoes" wasn't just a saying. I wish it was actionable. That we could pass a pair of shoes to another person and they could, if only for a moment FEEL another persons journey. This world would be a far, far better and certainly more tolerant and respectful place!
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