Depressive episode

[Kdon91]

My mental health is now starting to effect my job and I’ve never let it before. It’s getting to the point now that whenever a customer starts getting angry I cry. I’ve been told I need to be more resilient and asked is this a temporary thing by my manager. I’m now starting to question can I do my job? I’ve been in this role 9 months and I want to work for the company but have been applying internally for a job behind the scenes and not facing customers. I feel like making a doctors appointment and asking to be signed off sick but that’ll make it harder to go back to work afterwards. It’s all started since I had an operation and I was off work for 4 weeks. I went back to work part time to start with then full time, and then ever since then I’ve struggled. I feel like I’m in a giant depressive hole that I can’t get out of. My weight is playing a bit part in how I feel as my self esteem is so low. I’ve been on citalopram 40mg for about 10 years now and I feel like I just take them because I always have done. I feel like I’m on the verge of a mental breakdown and I don’t know what to do.

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello Kdon91,

Welcome to our supportive community. Well done for taking a brave step out of your comfort zone to reach out for help. Hopefully, you will find folks here are only too willing to come alongside you and share from their personal journeys and experiences.

You are obviously having a difficult time right now, may I suggest that you speak to your doctor about how you are feeling as there is a range of therapies and medications that may help you. You say you had gone back to work part-time after your operation, maybe you returned to work too soon, or needed a much longer staged return to work with reasonable adjustments made to your work environment. Do you have an occupational health department for your employer that you can access or an employee assistance programme you can access for help? I cannot see which country you live in from your profile, so it hard to advise, but there are equivalent programmes in the UK, Europe and USA if you Google them. Both countries have disability laws protecting the rights and needs of disabled people for physical and mental health. If you live elsewhere you may have to do some research.

Do check out our Pinned Post section for free mental health guides, and keep handy our international crisis support helplines:

healthunlocked.com/mentalhe...

Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Okay folks please pop by and welcome this new member onboard, and if you have any suggestions to help please share.

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[hypercat54]

Hi I am in the UK so know the law a bit here. What country are you in? x

[Kdon91 in reply to hypercat54]

I’m in the UK xx

[hypercat54 in reply to Kdon91]

Ok. First have your employers sent you to occupational health? If not then they should do this straightaway. If your employers are aware or should be reasonably be aware that you suffer from a health condition then the law says they need to make some reasonable adjustments for you. These can be extra sick leave, extra breaks, taking some work away from you, moving you to a different job etc. However these are all subject to 'business needs'. If they don't make some reasonable adjustments then they are breaking the Health and Safety act at Work. They have a duty of care towards you that they are not fulfilling.

If they were to dismiss you then you would have a good case for Tribunal and also if you feel you had no choice but to resign this could be construed as 'Constructive Dismissal' and again you could go to Tribunal'

They should also be holding regular meetings with you and do a stress risk assessment. You can take someone in with you if you want. If you are in a union then enlist their help. Also have a look at ACAS (lots of info online) as they might be able to advise you too.

The last thing I would suggest is try and get a free half hours advice with a solicitor who specalises in employment law. Ok it will probably be with a legal executive not a solicitor but it will help. Most solicitors offer this service. Or maybe ask CAB.

I went through this in my last job so know a little bit about it. Good luck. x