'My employer saved my life': Tales of mental health awareness

Long-term mental health problems can affect every part of a person’s life, from their relationships to their career. A recent report entitled ‘Thriving at Work’ says that up to 300,000 people with mental illnesses have had to quit their jobs, costing the UK economy £99billion annually – the BBC reports.

The publication went on to detail the testimonies of several employees who have suffered with mental health, revealing what kind of support their employers offered and how it changed their lives. One employee named Stephanie explained how her management team made employees feel guilty for taking their lunch hours – so she felt she could never discuss her mental health at work.

"As someone who suffers from depression, I never would be able to discuss my mental health with my employer,” she told the BBC. "There is a culture - especially within offices - that perceives this as a sign of weakness or an inability to handle their work. "There needs to be a serious change in attitude toward mental health.”

Lorna from Ballymena told the publication that she had to leave her role because of her own mental health issues. However, she went on to clarify that the medical system helped her, and her switch to part-time work eased the pressure of her job. "I still have good days and bad days, but I now know to recognise my feelings,” she added. "If there is anything I can change, take action. If not - accept it, work through it and move on.”