topic Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work in Staying well

Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:18:33 GMT

Hi all, I've just joined and would like to know if any members have received effective support for their depression and/or anxiety at work - particularly in public service? I've been isolated and despite requesting training and support, I haven't received any while others were offered so much training & support. I complained which made things worse, caused aggravation of my mental health and untrue accusations about my performance. I don't feel I can apply for other jobs as I'm unlikely to get positive references from my supervisors. I've also lost so much confidence. I've been bullied like this before also. Instead of them agreeing to adjustments recommended by my practitioners, I was directed to stop working after I was assessed as unfit for duty by a psych they engaged. I have to wait until late March for an independent psych to assess my fitness to return to work So I've had to use up all my paid leave. This has caused me financial stress also. Having some time off was good but not 2.5 months! All I asked for was to have equitable support and training. There's much literature at work that suggest employers will support people with mental health but it hasn't ever been my experience. I've looked into legalities - I'm told it's too hard and expensive to make a successful case. So if there are any ideas for support, who I can turn to etc, I 'd be most grateful. Many thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

white knight — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:50:24 GMT

Hi, welcome

This is an interesting post for me.

When people with limited knowledge of the compensation/illness side of any workplace falls ill they often expect support/empathy/understanding from employers and some workmates. In my experience this is unrealistic.

The first important question is- is the depression workplace related? After re-reading your start of your post I dont believe it is. Therefore you cannot expect any actions from your employer to support you. Sorry, thats true and yes complaining will make it worse. This isnt because you might well deserve some understanding and workplace counselling, its because work colleagues and management arent obligated.

The next bad news is that any medical engagement you seek outside the workplace eg your own psychs/GP's and their recommendations are not binding and all the management see is a problem not a person with mental health issues that might need a few weeks away from their job.

Mix all this together and you are in a situation in no mans land in some cases the management secretly want you to resign, a sure sign is when they make things difficult for you. I might add that even if the illness is work related the result is just as bad. The whole system has always been the same. So what can you do?

In 1987 I was on workers compensation for nearly one year as I fought Govt corruption after I was pressured to treat a politician favourably. I refused. After that period I finally left and got a different profession and frankly in terms of my mental health was a great move.

In several aspects I think you needed some extra knowledge to bring you aligned with the real picture of how the workplace works, what is relevant to them and the harsh reality of lack of empathy for those with mental health issues. Thats why we exist here, as there's few places sufferers can seek where understanding is found.

I would also strongly advise to see a workplace solicitor for guidance.

The below link might help too.

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/relationship-and-family-issues/they-just-wont-understand-why/td-p/172737

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/work/bullying-harassment

TonyWK

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

SGU — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 06:04:45 GMT

Hello, believe it or not I an actually relate what you are going thru, my job is customer service its a government job and I just sort of started this job. My 1st week of it was bit stressful but thought it can only get better, it did for a little bit as I was doing 3 month training course which was a bit cruisy, I had hit a few bumpy roads started getting emotional then my head was wondering off then my TL gave me a few options on depression and anxiety on who I can talk too, and one was EAP its a work place counselling its free and you get 6 sessions a year.

You should talk to your employer regarding this its a great opportunity to get things off your chess.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:39:53 GMT

Thanks for your reply White Knight. While I haven't gone into details, my aggravation is 100% work related. I do have a psychological disability. There are people in the team who also manage mental health and the work we do often pertains to those who may be grieving and experiencing vicarious trauma. So people in this team know how to understand but are choosing not to in my case. And I'm aware that employers do have legal obligations to keep staff safe from physical and psychological injuries. They also have responsibilities to provide resources staff need to do their job. Also there are discrimination laws. I disclosed my mental health disability on commencement. I've still been blatantly and actively excluded from learning knowledge, systems and processes needed to do my job. Others have been given copious one on one training while I kept being overlooked and blocked. After insisting and then complaining, things got much worse. I've also been repeatedly ostracised.

Employers are legally obligated to provide reasonable adjustments to help a person with a disability to carry out inherent requirements of the job unless it causes them hardship.While my experience also includes bullying as per legal definitions, all of these factors are difficult to enforce and make a case - that's the legal advice I've received. What's the point of these laws if they're so difficult to apply them.

I only asked to have what was promised to me and given freely to other colleagues. I'd hoped that there may be some responses from people who've had a positive experience. Ironically, I had received more understanding and support when I first commenced. It only takes one or two people to bad mouth you and suddenly you're treated differently. I want to leave but I've lost a lot of confidence. It's difficult to find other work when current supervisors won't provide positive references. I also can't afford to retire.

Thanks again for your reply. It is helpful to know it's not necessarily just me that experiences these challenges as a result of my mental health.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:57:49 GMT

Hi SGU

Thanks for your response. Yes I'm aware of EAP and have used up my six sessions. I've found them helpful to a certain extent. II'm glad you benefited from their service.

It is interesting that there hasn't been a huge volume of replies from people stating how great their workplace has been to help them in managing their mental health.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

white knight — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 09:07:01 GMT

I suspect, as caring for the mental well being of workers is relatively new to the scene, employers are still counting their profits as a priority.

Many private companies are not contractors to Govt bodies like defence forces and the bid as low as possible. This means a really tight budget and results in cuts everywhere.

Until that changes mental health concern won't improve in the workplace.

TonyWK

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:07:46 GMT

That response doesn't do much to help feel supported. I don't work in the private sector, I work in the public service. They're not short of funding. They have formally released strategies to support staff with mental health disability. Plus agencies have policies that reflect info provided by Safe Work Australia. So this isn't new. It's not a lack of budget. It's a lack of will to translate commitment and legal obligations into action. It's more to do with wanting power that goes with management roles but not the responsibility. And existing laws for employees are not strong enough to easily enforce unless you can afford lawyers and likely protracted cases. So this allows bullying and discrimination to proliferate. I thought organisations like Beyond Blue would have support groups or help advocate for those with mental illness at work. But it appears that's not the case.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

white knight — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:25:30 GMT

You are correct, this forum is a place of support for those struggling that seek peer support from members and community champions like myself that have life experience and/or a mental health issue that can pass onto others our history to give them a helping hand. We do not have support groups that get directly involved in workplace matters nor even get involved in any disputes.

"Beyond Blue is here to help all people in Australia achieve their best possible mental health."

You can talk to a counsellor and this direct approach to a qualified person might assist you better.

Call a counsellor on 1300 22 4636 or chat to a counsellor online. for urgent help-

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/urgent-help

Another way to approach this is to engage a solicitor with expertise in workplace matters like compensation. This is common. Keeping management bound by workplace obligation and laws is not directly associated with Beyondblue's charter, your well being and how you can best cope with that considering mental health is where we try to shine hence my focus on that along with my own experience with unfairness in a Govt position ("In 1987 I was on workers compensation for nearly one year as I fought Govt corruption after I was pressured to treat a politician favourably. I refused. After that period I finally left and got a different profession and frankly in terms of my mental health was a great move.")

I'm sorry if we cant fulfil your needs and hope the links above help.

TonyWK

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:41:14 GMT

Thanks Tony, I appreciate you taking the time to respond, sharing and providing those links. Apologies for taking my frustration out on you or Beyond Blue - that wasn't called for. It is good that peer support is available through this medium. It's otherwise easy to feel very isolated. I'm glad you found something better after your time in govt employment. I have worked in public private and not for profit and haven't really found any one sector is better in this regard. I guess given how much time we all spend at work and how high a percentage of our population have some form of mental health challenges, it seems bizarre how much of a deficit of understanding there is. I've also noticed on other general fora how high the incidence of workplace bullying exists irrespective of public private not for profit sector. It seems to have become worse after Covid. I am considering workers' comp with no win no fee legal assistance. And while I'm finding it challenging to accept the current state of things, I will find my way through. I do practise mindfulness and meditation along with other professional treatment. It's the first two that I find help the most. Thanks again.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

white knight — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:54:54 GMT

Wonderful news and thankyou, I'm glad you're moving forward.

TonyWK

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

WishyBee — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 11:22:22 GMT

Hi 1-at-Peace,

What you have described in your post is so familiar to me that I think we might’ve work together 🤔

I understand completely what you are facing. When I was a public servant and at my lowest my superiors targeted me with nonsense warnings, false statements about me and my work etc. If it helps at all - my mental health improved as soon as I resigned, I used my long service leave to take a break and recover from the toxic workplace. I found employment in the private sector without using references. There are good workplaces out there.
Be kind to yourself, sending you support.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:39:30 GMT

Dear Wishy Bee, thanks so much for your kind words and understanding. It's great to hear you found a way through and are in a much better place.🙂 May I ask what line of work you're now in?

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

WishyBee — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:46:52 GMT

Hi 1-at-Peace,

I’ve done a few different things since leaving the public service. The first job I obtained after resigning was in logistics, through a friend of a friend. I hope that helps.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

white knight — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 23:36:41 GMT

I might add here that while off work fighting mini corruption I was very resistant to a change of career and the loss of my job. After all, I was guilty of only "doing the right thing" so why should I be punished.

However, that not how life works especially the workplace. It's more brutal than that as well as unjust. Management favour robotic types that do as they're told and are quiet natured.

So after 10 months I relinquished and got a job caring for disabled workers. It turned out a great job with caring managers and a new career path. My stress dripped to normal levels.

I don't know if that helps but regardless as your injury is work related you are or will be in the compensation system and that's a complex, long drawn out process where you should engage a solicitor specialising in workplace issues.

Most psychological injuries in the workplace are not caused by the claimant in my experience so be assured you've done nothing wrong.

How are you feeling overall now?

TonyWK

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 13:27:19 GMT

Thanks Tony, it's great you found something you find rewarding with lower stress and good managers - that really is gold. Good managers, irrespective of public private, not for profit sectors do seem to be rare.

Thanks for the reassurance also - bullies are good at trying to make the innocent person look like the cause of the problem and make you doubt yourself.

I have challenged injustices in the workplace in the past and have had success. However, it is much harder when the boss is encouraging others to join in. I think these days management really like loud people and reward those who will help play divide and conquer and are willing to throw anyone under the bus. I think workers' comp would be too stressful and signals career suicide - which is why I didn't and probably won't claim. I know others who've also claimed it and it's not been an easy experience even when a claim's successful. It didn't help that the lawyer I got a free referral from FWC was himself a hard nosed bully who inferred I'm a fool for being reluctant to not want to submit a workers' comp claim and that I should have done so earlier. He didn't seem to have any regard for the fact that once you submit a claim the employer is likely to keep making life difficult. The lawyer also said the workplace doesn't have any room for someone with mental health issues. He may as well have been working for my employer.

Anyway, a cancellation came up for the psych I've been referred to assess my fitness for duty to return. It cost a fortune. But he's recommended gradual return 4 hours for 2 days a week for 2 weeks. So that is good. However, having used up my paid leave, I am struggling financially. So I hope I can increase the hours fairly quickly to help ease financial stress without causing me mental stress.

So I'm hanging in there. Hopefully returning to work gives me something else to focus on. I'll do my best to return with a clean slate. Hopefully, they'll be reasonable while I'm recovering. One day at a time... Thanks again for checking in - much appreciated.

Re: Hi and asking how to receive support at work

white knight — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 05:22:17 GMT

You do have the knowledge and experience about workplace systems including the dreaded compensation.

I don't have much more to offer However as you spoke about opposition from employers and employees it reminded me of when people in the street I met up with, I felt compelled to justify my stance. Sometimes I'd later reflect and see myself as a crying boy.

The facts came to me-

The most workers wouldn't understand my situation of local Govt law enforcement
That secretly they could pass on content of my words and twist them
That if they give opposition to my actions, that would set me back emotionally

Due to the above I developed a minimalist but civil approach. It's all discussed in the following thread-

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/wit-the-only-answer-for-torment/td-p/71440

An example is an employee approaching asking a probing question and you answer "have you been in a similar situation" (note: you aren't answering their question), then whatever their response you reply "thankyou for asking but it's complex... how are you".?

TonyWK