Some wonderful input and suggestions thank. I think the reasssurance that it is OK to admit you are living with depression and not feel that your job is jeopardised and your career over, by that disclosure is very important.

As highlighted above, I was aware of the AHRC resource recently released and it is excellent. It really lets people (and managers) be aware of their rights under the legislation.
Once again thank you for your input and if anything else comes to mind, please revisit the blog.

Kind Regards
Graeme

Just one thing I thought it might be useful to add. If possible, managers/team leaders broaching the topic with employees should reassure them that they will be supported, and won’t lose their job if they admit to feeling down or having trouble coping.

I didn’t tell anyone at my work that I was struggling with depression for a long time because I was terrified that it would be the end of my career. If employees know that they can keep their job it may make them much more comfortable about disclosing problems they may have.

Jenny

Have you seen the the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Workers with Mental Illness: a Practical Guide for Managers, 2010
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/publications/workers_mental_illness_guide.html

It is very good.

Cheers. Julie

Once a Manager or Employee is aware that someone has been diagnosed with a Mental Illness (or exhibits most symptoms) I would refer them to a booklet called ‘Workers with Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Managers’ which has recently been put out by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Alison

I did face a situation where I felt very depressed and did not show it, went into my employer and said that I was resigning and was met with the attitutude of ‘who can we get to replace you as quickly as possible’. There was no discussion about why i wanted to leave so i just wore it at the time and left a perfectly good teaching job.

So how do you reach those who are not easily accessible via the above approach?

What about teaching employers, supervisors and others how to deal with people who present with sudden decisions about curtailing their employment.

I don’t like the idea of mental health issues being referred to specific individuals in the workplace - there is still a lot of prejudice out there (perhaps more imagined than real - although it is a very competitive world and the reality is that someone who is fragile does have a more difficult time) .

Recently I was presented with a question about whether i had a mental illness (and if so to report somewhere for help - well meaning) when enrolling in a TAFE course - which i promptly ignored. Were there questions about whether I had other illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, a broken leg -no.

To reach those who are adept at covering up their symptoms my preference is for general education. What about signs/ pictures on the back of toilet doors, or on charts in the office ( a bit like the food pyramids) with 5 steps to a good mental outlook:
1. Eat well
2. Sleep well
3. Exercise every day
4. Socialise
5. Maintain a good balance
Pictures to illustrate the above, like those in the book _ I had a black dog - would get the message across that it is worthwhile to look after yourself physically and that it has a positive impact on your mental health.

I don’t think I’ve addressed your questions very well but hope the above helps.
Cheers
Jan Bull