1 in 6 British workers are affected by conditions like anxiety and depression every year. It is a myth that people with mental health problems can’t work. With the right support people with mental health problems perform vital roles in workplaces across the country.

However, mental health stigma and discrimination in the workplace remain an issue. The blogs below are written by people who have experience of mental illness in the workplace and show the different ways people can react.

By writing about their experiences they aim to raise awareness of the issue and challenge stereotypes around something that can affect all of us. Pledge to talk about your experiences of mental health >>

Read more about what support is available at work and information for managers and employers.

Fear of judgement stops me from talking about my mental health

November 11, 2016

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks which in turn leads to me suffering from mild depression. This has a huge impact on not only my life but those around me. It's not something I'm open about or even talk about, it's certainly not something I say out loud. But why? We shouldn't be ashamed.

Workplaces need to understand: healing depression takes time

October 26, 2016

Travelling through the other side of depression, there’s a sudden realisation that the end of the tunnel, the road to recovery, is achievable.

An only child, dealing with family illness proved tough – even though, at the time, I thought I was dealing with the stress. Both parents and my wife going through serious illnesses (luckily all is well with all) and both remaining grandparents passing at wonderful ages (93 and 101!), it seems all of this piled up on me.

People shouldn't assume that mental illness is a weakness

October 24, 2016

Hi, my name is Mary and several years ago I was in a professional job as a psychology lecturer. Perhaps I was naive, but I thought professionalism was about acting with good values and respect for others. I found out differently when I joined this college as a staff member in a small team of psychology lecturers.

When my OCD is bad, my friends and family are incredible

October 10, 2016

My experience of mental health, much like my condition itself, runs to two extremes. 

I first realised that I wasn't 'normal' when I was at primary school, things that didn't bother other kids would send me into an absolute meltdown. A small change like a supply teacher for the day would completely throw me.

Secondary school was even worse. I was bullied for five years and the experience still dictates my feelings about myself and my view of the world to this day. 

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