Are you stressed at work, or do you have a mental health condition?
Please follow our mental health advice for employees.
The nature of work means that sometimes there are times of pressure. When we feel under pressure, we can become stressed, and our bodies react to this stress both physically and mentally.
The symptoms of stress and a mental health condition can be similar and on occasion, it can be difficult to tell the difference.
The difference between a mental health condition and stress is often how long the symptoms last and how severe they are combined with how they impact your daily life.
For those who already have an existing mental health condition, the difference can be harder to spot. We always advise speaking to the mental health practitioner who is currently helping you whether that is your GP or one of our mental health therapists.
Do something early on
We always advise strengthening your resilience. Like a muscle it needs exercise. It is important to be as proactive as possible. But if you feel you have a problem the best thing to do is act quickly. The sooner you act the less chance you have of becoming more unwell.
It’s the job of a line manager or mental health-first aider to spot symptoms. If they approach you to talk, please engage with them.
Help your manager support you
Your manager will want to support you and you can help them identify any problems and needs.
If you have a mental health problem, it is a good step to let your manager know. Alternatively, you can discuss it with a mental health first-aider or someone from HR.
Speak to them as soon as you can. Suggest a chat in person or online, ask for a formal meeting or even raise the issue in an appraisal if one is scheduled soon.
Sometimes a mental health issue can be linked to a certain time of day, a specific task or even a particular team. Telling your manager, HR adviser or MH First-aider can help resolve the problem.
The more you can inform your employer the better they will be able to understand any mental health issues and make any adjustments to help you. Keep your discussion as positive as possible to ensure a positive outcome.
If you are a manager, you can download our return to work factsheet.
What happens if you are off sick with an illness?
Remember that most people will recover from an illness and return to work. Before you return, contact your employer, and have a discussion to agree on a plan for your return to work. They may contact you first to help.
You do not need to be fully recovered to return to work. You may need some additional support. Again, talk to your manager so you can both work together to address your needs. You may have a few simple verbal agreements or even a written plan if your employer thinks this will help.
If you continue to be unwell after you have had your support speak to your employer – they may be able to offer you some professional mental health support if they use a proactive employee assistance programme. You can always contact your GP.