Working through setbacks
| Published date | 25 November 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-06-2013-0022 |
| Date | 25 November 2013 |
| Pages | 190-194 |
| Author | Alex Williams |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Working through setbacks
Alex Williams
Former service user
Abstract
Purpose – The paper is a follow-up to a personal account published in this journal 12 months ago.
The purpose of this paper is to highlight job retention through support measures during a period of crisis,
contrasted with factors which undermine a quicker return to good mental health.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a personal account of difficulties experienced within and
outside the workplace for someone who has been through long-term mental distress and is in her first,
proper,paid job. The author reflects on becoming unwell while in full-time work with fears of dismissal by the
employer as well as rejection by mental health services. Due to a supportive employer the author is still
employed but is more aware of distress triggers.
Findings – Helpful approaches which make job sustainment possible include the use of independent
occupational health services, supported employment advice, phased returns, income maximisation through
Disability Living Allowance and employer flexibility.The factors which inhibited this were miscommunications
with statutory services and a widespread inability to recognise and understand distress expressed through
self-harm.
Research limitations/implications – Further research is needed into the practical responses from employers
once an employee who has ongoing mental health issues discloses deterioration in symptoms. The context of
a person’s home life and treatment available means that work may not be the main stress.
Originality/value – Published testimonies from service users and survivors on successes in sustaining
employment remain few in number.
Keywords Mental health services, Job retention, Occupational health, Self-harm, Sickness absence,
Supported employment
Paper type Viewpoint
One year ago, I finished writing a case study based on my own experiences of employment and
gave this the title: “Employment – hope and reality”. My paper, published in the winter 2012
issue of this journal, covered my first eight months in paid employment which I had secured
despite many obstacles. I have had mental health problems, particularly anorexia and anxiety,
since the age of 16, and this was my first proper paid job.
When I read this published paper back now, I am struck by the optimistic tone. I did not
know that, just a few months later, I would fear that my job was in jeopardy. While I can report
that I am still working full-time for the same organisation, the reality has been far from a happy
ever-after story.
In this follow-up paper, I give an update to my original account and describe my ongoing
struggle to maintain working life. I share more about the triggers for what became an episode of
extreme emotional distress, the mixed responses from statutory support services, and the
adjustments I have needed to make to my life in order to sustain my job.
Going downhill
It is difficult to pinpoint why my health changed. Nine months into employment I was still
performing well but would often lose sight of this. Removed from a context of mental health
support networks and my initial sense of success in finding a job, I no longer felt that I had
PAGE 190
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MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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VOL. 17 NO. 4 2013, pp. 190-194, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-06-2013-0022
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