According to Mind, 1 in 4 people will suffer with a mental health problem at some point in their lives. In some cases people have a temporary condition from which they completely recover. Other people learn to manage their condition, but it remains with them.
'Mental Health' covers a range of specific conditions, the symptoms and implications of which vary. Conditions include Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks, Bi-polar disorder (Manic Depression) and Schizophrenia. Details about specific conditions can be found at Mind's website.
A growing number of employers have policies that encourage diversity in their workforce, and the Disability Discrimination Act aims to stop discrimination against people because of their disability. It is now illegal to treat someone with a disability less favourably than someone without, and the Act places a requirement on employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to remove any barriers you may encounter because of your disability.
This leaves you with the question of when and how to go about disclosing your disability (you don’t have to disclose, but if you don’t you can’t claim the protection of the DDA). There’s more advice about disclosing in the Resources section, but think about the possible implications of your condition for you, and focus on the positive things. A careers advisor can help you with this.
If you find the illness means you can't pursue your original career objective, think laterally about what it is you enjoy, and how that might lead you to some form of employment. Some people choose self-employment as they find that gives them the power to control their own workload. If you are currently claiming benefits, the Citizens Advice Bureau can help you with a 'better off' calculation to compare your current situation with one employment could provide, and advise you on what your entitlements are in the event of a relapse.
There are growing numbers of technological solutions to any perceived barriers to your choice of career. The Access to Work scheme will provide funding for reasonable adjustments to employers, and this includes any adjustments needed for interview or selection procedure.
Rather than portray your disability as a problem, it is important to portray the positive. If you can present a potential employer with ways of making reasonable adjustments to their work place for your specific needs, and a way to pay for them, it will show you as a proactive and solution-centred person.
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