Whether to be open about mental health history when applying for work.

[Bluetone]

Hi there,

 

I was after an opinion on something to which I'm unsure of.

 

It's in regards to how open and honest you should be about mental health when it comes to work and applying for work.

 

I'm not referring to current mental health, I'm more pointing towards previous history, particularly when it comes to being the cause for a gap in your CV/resume.

 

In my situation, I had a breakdown in my early teens, I suffered from depression, anxiety and OCD. This resulted in me taking time away from school for treatment (I was an extreme case) effectively ending my education. I came away from this with no qualifications whatsoever, no GCSEs (I'm from the UK) etc. I went into part time work at the age of 18 or 19 (it's a while ago now, I'm 35) on a scheme where I was monitored by a social worker and eventually became a full time employee at the same company.

 

I've now been working for myself as a freelance editor in the TV industry for the past 10 years and I had a stream of work where I lived, which was on an island. That work kept me afloat, but because I lived on an island there wasn't much scope for new clients and the work dried up. I've since moved to London as I was getting more freelance work here than I was back home and I'm now trying to build on that and maybe even looking to get something permanent for a bit of stability.

 

If you met me, I'm a fairly quiet person and some people can take that as a lack of confidence and, in turn, a sign of weakness. I've always found that talking about my history can be quite empowering, as it reminds of where I was and how far I've come and thought it showed that I am actually a strong person for making that journey. Up until now my history is something that hasn't come up, but, I was just wondering if I should be open about the reason for my lack of schooling and qualifications or whether I should keep it as it is and not mention it.

 

If anyone has any insight or if anyone has any stories they'd like to share, whether you were the one looking for work or the one looking to hire someone, I'd really appreciate it.

 

All the best

 

Peter

[FitChick]

What happened years ago is irrelevant. Plenty of people screw around in school but straighten up and mature and become model employees. All they care about is your recent work history. It might even be illegal to ask about health.

[ilkdom]

It shouldn't matter what happened 15 years ago. However, it may be that you're mixing two different things. For you, to talk about the past gives you a tool how to measure your advancement over the years. For others, it can be like you're showing them another weakness (most probably, they would understand it this way or worse). They wouldn't understand why this means so much to you. It's better shared only with those who really are capable of understanding what it means to you - and it usually means people close to you - because how many people are really interested in you and your well-being? For all the rest, tell the story how you were in a secret service training camp when you were young and tell it in such way that they won't know for sure if you're joking or not.

[FitChick]

If you have to discuss it, go to group therapy.

[Treasa]

If anyone should ask about that far in the past, which I doubt, simply say that you were ill. They can't get specific, and will likely drop it there.

[thatone]

Hi there,

 

I was after an opinion on something to which I'm unsure of.

 

It's in regards to how open and honest you should be about mental health when it comes to work and applying for work.

 

I'm not referring to current mental health, I'm more pointing towards previous history, particularly when it comes to being the cause for a gap in your CV/resume.

 

In my situation, I had a breakdown in my early teens, I suffered from depression, anxiety and OCD. This resulted in me taking time away from school for treatment (I was an extreme case) effectively ending my education. I came away from this with no qualifications whatsoever, no GCSEs (I'm from the UK) etc. I went into part time work at the age of 18 or 19 (it's a while ago now, I'm 35) on a scheme where I was monitored by a social worker and eventually became a full time employee at the same company.

 

I've now been working for myself as a freelance editor in the TV industry for the past 10 years and I had a stream of work where I lived, which was on an island. That work kept me afloat, but because I lived on an island there wasn't much scope for new clients and the work dried up. I've since moved to London as I was getting more freelance work here than I was back home and I'm now trying to build on that and maybe even looking to get something permanent for a bit of stability.

 

If you met me, I'm a fairly quiet person and some people can take that as a lack of confidence and, in turn, a sign of weakness. I've always found that talking about my history can be quite empowering, as it reminds of where I was and how far I've come and thought it showed that I am actually a strong person for making that journey. Up until now my history is something that hasn't come up, but, I was just wondering if I should be open about the reason for my lack of schooling and qualifications or whether I should keep it as it is and not mention it.

 

If anyone has any insight or if anyone has any stories they'd like to share, whether you were the one looking for work or the one looking to hire someone, I'd really appreciate it.

 

All the best

 

Peter

 

You should never be honest about such things. Do not volunteer information that isn't requested. Even then don't volunteer it unless there is some legal ramification for not doing so. And even then, don't volunteer it anyway if the legal ramification isn't that big a deal.

 

Your boss is not your friend. He can fire you, you can quit and in so doing fire him.

[todreaminblue]

What happened years ago is irrelevant. Plenty of people screw around in school but straighten up and mature and become model employees. All they care about is your recent work history. It might even be illegal to ask about health.

 

 

it depends on security levels and if you are needed to be mentally sound to perform the job you are employed for...it is not illegal to ask in most instances...deb

[todreaminblue]

Hi there,

 

I was after an opinion on something to which I'm unsure of.

 

It's in regards to how open and honest you should be about mental health when it comes to work and applying for work.

 

I'm not referring to current mental health, I'm more pointing towards previous history, particularly when it comes to being the cause for a gap in your CV/resume.

 

In my situation, I had a breakdown in my early teens, I suffered from depression, anxiety and OCD. This resulted in me taking time away from school for treatment (I was an extreme case) effectively ending my education. I came away from this with no qualifications whatsoever, no GCSEs (I'm from the UK) etc. I went into part time work at the age of 18 or 19 (it's a while ago now, I'm 35) on a scheme where I was monitored by a social worker and eventually became a full time employee at the same company.

 

I've now been working for myself as a freelance editor in the TV industry for the past 10 years and I had a stream of work where I lived, which was on an island. That work kept me afloat, but because I lived on an island there wasn't much scope for new clients and the work dried up. I've since moved to London as I was getting more freelance work here than I was back home and I'm now trying to build on that and maybe even looking to get something permanent for a bit of stability.

 

If you met me, I'm a fairly quiet person and some people can take that as a lack of confidence and, in turn, a sign of weakness. I've always found that talking about my history can be quite empowering, as it reminds of where I was and how far I've come and thought it showed that I am actually a strong person for making that journey. Up until now my history is something that hasn't come up, but, I was just wondering if I should be open about the reason for my lack of schooling and qualifications or whether I should keep it as it is and not mention it.

 

If anyone has any insight or if anyone has any stories they'd like to share, whether you were the one looking for work or the one looking to hire someone, I'd really appreciate it.

 

All the best

 

Peter

 

 

i joined a study on mental health and was asked to speak about my mental health issues in regards to employment.......the stigma behind mental instability...the morale of other employees and bias towards people with mental health issues in the work place.....over all today not in yesteryear.....there are more rules and regulations involving a persons private information...how much you disclose is ultimately up to the person disclosing.......unless checks are done it is your choice......i can speak openly about many issues i have had.....and i can objectively talk about them.......i would be honest if an employer asked me directly...what my mental health issues were.......if they were to solely base not employing me on my mental health history...that mental health was an issue in my obtaining employment with that company..that job ....would not be right for me anyway...if i cant sell msyelf and why i would be best for the job....its not for me....thats how i feel....as when i go for employment i want long standing permanent employment with a company that has a high tolerance for issues of mental health with strict regulations on behavior and treatment of peopel with mental health issues by employers and fellow employees...my policy is honesty and respect for an employer by being truthful...i expect to have the same treatment returned......deb

Edited June 8, 2013 by todreaminblue