Read this account of a staff member's experience at work whilst managing a mental health condition.
(reading, approximately 5 minutes)
"This goes back to when I
had a bad experience on a ward I was transferred to, it was a choice given to
me to gain extra experience in an area I thought I could progress. However, I
was attacked by a patient which caused me to have mental health issues which
made working in a high risk area untenable. The support I had from the area
transferred to was incredible they supported with time off and what I needed.
When I wanted to return
to my employed ward I was denied and was transferred to another ward, with no
rational given or discussion with myself. When I have reflected on this myself
I see it was a good decision as I had the support of a fantastic manager where
I was transferred to however I feel the communication in the first instance was
lacking completely and seemed like it was an order that could not be refused.
When I finally returned
to my base any issue or concern resolved around my mental health and my
medication and am I fit to keep working because of this, to a point where I
made the decision to keep any information related to this completely private
including when I made the decision that my mental health had stabilised, and
the side effects it was not something I wished to continue. I feel that there
was an attempt to support on the issues I have having but it came across as an
assessment on my ability of working with a mental health problem and I was left with the
impression that working in that area with a mental health issue was a problem
for the team. I therefore made the decision to actively look for different work
and now have done so. I know I am not alone with having this issue in that
environment."
