Talking to your employer and co-workers about your mental illness

If you decide to discuss your mental illness with people in the workplace, be aware that some people may not respond in an accepting manner. It might help to prepare yourself for this possibility. If people react in an unsupportive way, keep your interactions with them to a minimum.

When discussing your mental illness to your employer:

• Be clear and matter of fact about why you are informing them, and your desired outcomes from doing so.
• Be knowledgeable about your illness.
• Provide information about your illness, or links to mental illness fact sheets to your employer—see 'Related Links'. Recommend that they consider providing staff with Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace training:
• Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace e-learning course
• Discuss the impact of possible symptoms, or side effects of medication in the workplace, and the strategies that you use to alleviate these.
• Inform your employer about the work place supports, and case-management options provided by Providers of Australian Government Employment Services.
• Free expert help with employment 
• Provide some options and strategies for workplace adjustment or flexible work practices to make it easier for you and your employer to manage your mental illness in the workplace.

You may wish to anticipate concerns before problems arise and suggest possible solutions with your employer. 

For example: 'I’ve been well for a long time now, and over the years I’ve learned about what triggers my illness and what stresses to avoid such as noisy and messy environments. I’d be best supported by working in a quiet and uncluttered part of the office...'.

'The last time I became unwell, there was a period of built up stress and I didn’t tell anyone. These days I take a power walk at lunch time to relieve stress, and if it does start to worry me I talk about strategies with my boss'.

Talking to co-workers about mental illness

Be alert to the attitudes of your co-workers, before you disclose or discuss your illness. Discuss it with people who are likely to be positive, open and supportive and engage them in the process of disclosing to others if necessary.