ADD ADVICE TO FAVMental illness
Mental illness can make searching for employment in your final year or after graduation a real challenge. According to a survey by the Office for National Statistics, mental illness is more likely to result in unemployment than any other disability. And when the Mental Health Foundation surveyed people with mental illnesses, over 50% believed it had disadvantaged them in their job search.
But finding the right job is particularly important given the benefits of a secure working environment. According to the mental-health charity Rethink, working can be very beneficial to the recovery process.
You could start by visiting your university careers service for advice on how to find the right job for you. Careers advisers understand disability issues and can refer you to helpful organisations. Or talk to the Disability Employment Adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus to get advice on schemes like WORKSTEP and Access to Work. Employment Opportunities, another support organisation for people with disabilities, can introduce you to employers and accompany you to interviews.
Disclosure of mental illness
As you have a hidden disability it is entirely up to you whether you disclose your mental illness or not. You may choose not to if it will have no effect on your ability to do the job. Or you may be concerned that disclosing gives employers an opportunity to label or discriminate against you (although this is illegal under the Disability Discrimination Act).
There are several reasons that disclosure may be a good idea, however. There are many disability-positive employers and you may be asked about disability and health on applications forms or at interview. If you give false information, you could risk losing your job.
Disclosing also puts you in a position of trust, and means that you’re covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.
If you disclose, you can also discuss adjustments with your employer. Many adjustments don’t cost anything. They might include changing working hours to allow for medical treatment, or reducing face-to-face contact with customers.
Employers’ attitudes to mental illness
Many people with mental illnesses are concerned about how their employer will react, and this may affect whether you choose to disclose your disability. However, many employers understand that most people don’t go through life plain-sailing, but still have a contribution to make through work. The view of these employers is that if you’ve completed your degree course, you’re likely to keep a job.
Employers positive about disability include members of the Employers’ Forum on Disability, charities, government departments and local authorities. And it is also worth contacting any organisation which publicises an equal-opportunities policy on its website or displays an equal-opportunities logo on job adverts.
Colleagues’ attitudes to mental illness
How will your colleagues react to your mental illness? If you do experience offensive comments, try chatting with colleagues at team meetings or informally after work.
However, if you’re open and honest with people, you should find that they are very understanding. Being good-humoured and relaxed about your disability will help to make your working life a happy one.
