Mental Health and Employment
By Camela Reid
What is Mental Health/Illness?
Mental illnesses are health problems that affect the way we think about ourselves, relate to others, and interact with the world around us. They affect our thoughts, feelings, abilities and behaviours. Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses.
Which are more likely to come up during times of stress or uncertainty, which can be part of many people's jobs. However, life stress outside of work can also affect mental health, which may then affect a person at work.
Mental illness can be a taboo subject in our society and our workplaces. People with mental health disabilities and addictions may be exposed to stereotypes based on irrational fears, leading to experiences of stigma. Employees who considered most of their days to be quite a bit or extremely stressful were over 3 times more likely to suffer a major depressive episode, compared with those who reported low levels of general stress.
Different Mental Illnesses
Mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
Anxiety disorders
Personality disorders
Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
Eating disorders
Trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder)
Substance abuse disorders
Addressing Mental Illness and Employment
Mental health is an issue that impacts every workplace in Canada. The workplace can contribute positively or negatively to a person's mental health.
People who experience a mental illness may doubt their abilities or appear less confident. A person may have a hard time concentrating, learning, and making decisions. Someone who can't concentrate may then also think that they can't do their job well or worry about losing their job. It's easy to see how these changes affect work performance.
Mental illnesses can also have a big effect on relationships. People who experience a mental illness may withdraw from others, act in unexpected ways, take a lot of time off, or appear less productive than usual. This can strain relationships with supervisors and co-workers.
Here are some suggestions to improve your work situation if you are experiencing mental illness:
If you are returning to work after a leave related to mental illness, consider negotiating a gradual return-to-work with your employer. This may mean returning only three days a week, or for shorter workdays.
Be clear with your employer about what workplace situations cause stress, and how they can be addressed. For example, if you find long meetings difficult, tell your employer that you may have to leave the room periodically, and you will sit close to the door so you don't disturb others. Ask that detailed notes of the proceedings be taken so you can review what you missed.
Certain medications may make it difficult for you to be at work first thing in the morning. Ask your employer about flexible work times that allow you to be at your most productive.
You may wish to ask that instructions and directions from your supervisor be provided in writing, if you find it difficult to retain spoken information.
Is the workplace a factor in developing mental health problems?
Both physical and mental health are affected by a large number of factors including:
Age and gender
Genetics
Personal history (past trauma, learned coping mechanisms)
Environment (air and water quality, exposure to toxins)
Drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, illegal)
Lifestyle (diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking or other substance use)
Support system (relationship status, social supports at home and work, access to healthcare)
Stress (perceived differently by everyone)
Because there are so many factors, except in the case of a severe psychological trauma (such as being assaulted on the job), it's rare to draw a definitive link between a person's work situation and the development of a mental health problem. We do know that workplace factors associated with how we organize our work and manage our people, as well as incidents of harassment, alienation or bullying, may directly contribute to mental distress (feeling anxious, depressed, burnt out, or demoralized).
That distress can be a source of considerable suffering, and create substantial problems on the job (such as decreased productivity). It can also lead to the development of a psychological disorder, make an existing disorder worse, or block rehabilitation efforts. There are a wide range of psychological disorders.
Asking for Help
The good news is that mental illnesses are treatable. Early recognition of mental health problems, referrals to the right resources (such as Employee and Family Assistance Plans)
In Canada, the law says that you don't have to tell your employers what is causing a disability. You do need to say that you're experiencing health challenges and you have to describe what you need to work well. Your employer may need information from your healthcare provider around your abilities and difficulties, but they don't need your diagnosis.
By law, workplaces have to try to look at reasonable accommodations for anyone who experiences a disability, including a mental illness.
Talk with supportive friends and family. Share your feelings with them and let them be part of your team.
Talk to your family doctor. They are a great resource and can link you to other professionals, if needed.
Connect with community mental health clinics or organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for information, support, and services.
Call a helpline. Some organizations also offer support online or through text messaging.