Hi and asking how to receive support at work

1_at_Peace

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.

white knight

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-...

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

TonyWK

SGU

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.

1_at_Peace

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.

1_at_Peace

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.

white knight

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

1_at_Peace

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.

white knight

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

1_at_Peace

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.

white knight

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

TonyWK