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.

Why I decided to share all about being admitted to a psychiatric ward

May 20, 2015

When I was first admitted to my local psychiatric ward, I was mortified and had no idea how I could articulate what was happening without being gossiped about and being judged. I decided that, apart from my close friends, this would remain a secret. When I was first admitted, it was for a short admission for a few days so I thought I was going to be off for a week which would be easy to cover up. It turned out I was good at covering up how I actually was and being in a hospital 24/7 exposed me, a few days turned into two months. Not so easy to plausibly hide.

Let's tackle the stigma surrounding mental health at work

March 19, 2015

I always wanted to be out and about doing things where every day was different, so I joined the fire service. I spent 14 years on one watch in Sheffield – probably the best time of my life.

However, in that period I went to a car crash on the Sheffield Parkway. It was very early one Sunday morning; five kids had been clubbing. Returning home they came down the Sheffield Parkway and crashed. 

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