Handling the challenges
Sandy recalls feeling very isolated when she was hospitalized. She worried about whether her job would still be there when she recovered. All contact with her place of employment ceased; there were no calls, no cards, no flowers, and no visits. Returning to work after being shut away for two or three months was "unimaginably daunting." Sandy required a great deal of support and reassurance that she still had the skills to do her job. With practice, returning to work has gotten easier.
And there was the obvious awkwardness around her colleagues. Even though they might ask how she was, she felt that they didn't really want to know. Since learning of her illness, Sandy noticed that a few of her colleagues worried when she's excited, thinking this might be a symptom of mania.
"When I was happy, my colleagues often perceived me as being manic. Happy isn't the same as high. Many people don't know what manic means, nor do they want to. It's all too frightening for them."
Over time, she learned that her colleagues cared about her, and only had good intentions when they express their concerns.
There is still a great deal of discrimination, prejudice, bias and stereotyping in most workplaces. People sometimes confided in Sandy about their own struggles with mental health issues instead of telling anyone else in the company. They were afraid of what might happen to them. Though she was treated fairly and without discrimination, others were afraid that their own mental health problems create problems, so they remained silent. Carrying the burden of a mental illnesses secretly- because of the fear of discrimination and prejudice associated with them can be devastating and more life limiting than the mental illness itself.
Middle managers, Sandy feels strongly, ought to be educated about the early signs and symptoms of mental illnesses, and how to accommodate people with mental illnesses or any mental health issues. They can play a significant role in helping to identify an episode of an illness before it becomes too severe. In an atmosphere of support and compassion, employees will more likely take the risk of talking about their mental health issues or experiences with their mental illnesses. Also, they'll be more comfortable asking for the same kinds of accommodations that are easily accorded people with chronic physical illnesses.
NEXT: Sandy's advice for employers
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