How to Talk to your Boss about Your Mental Health

Talking about your mental health and the wobbles your brain can suddenly inflict on you can be daunting at the best of times, but could feel especially unachievable in the professional environment of talking to your boss. And whilst we all wish for workplace friends and colleagues that just ‘get you’, the reality is sadly sometimes different, making a conversation in which your vulnerabilities are laid bare even harder. But don’t fear! Whilst the thought of this ‘chat’ might be enough to make you run for the hills quicker than you can say ‘does anyone want a cuppa?’ in your morning office ritual, the conversation could be a well overdue one that not only lifts a weight from your shoulders, but makes your day-to-day work life more enjoyable, comfortable and suited to your needs!

Have a plan

It’s likely that even for those with a good employee/boss relationship, your manager may not know the ins and outs of your mental health history, despite hints of low moments or mentions of therapy here and there. The first stage of approaching this subject, perhaps before you’ve even set a date and time for the meeting, is thinking about exactly what it is you want to communicate, and how best to explain your health history. Start by making some notes on the aspects of your work life you feel are being most affected by mental illness, and think honestly about the areas you’d like to grow and improve on with the support of your manager. If you’ve struggled with negative mental health for some time, it might be difficult to separate your symptoms and the impact they inflict, having not known a period of productivity that hasn’t been impacted by troublesome headspace. In this instance, creating an ‘in an ideal world’ plan might be helpful, jotting down pointers of the best case scenarios for your working life, even if right now they feel unrealistic. The positive support of your manager and colleagues can transform a work environment, so don’t hold back on thinking what could be possible. 

Taking it seriously

We all hope to be surrounded by, and in circles with others that are compassionate and understanding when it comes to maintaining positive mental health, but sadly there is still a level of ignorance and naivety from some that might not have ever battled with their brains before. Hopefully you’ll be able to assess in advance the sort of reaction you can expect when approaching the topic with your manager, and if it feels like their level of understanding will be minimal, it might be appropriate to speak to your doctor who can provide a detailed and professional letter of your struggles and how these manifest themselves. It’s difficult to imagine how anyone could be dismissive or unsupportive of you in a time of vulnerability, but having a doctors letter both to support your meeting and help your manager fully understand your needs might be a helpful step to take, even if only as a backup!

The next steps

Talking about your mental health in a professional capacity can not only help you be the happiest and most truthful version of yourself, but can fundamentally mean you succeed in achieving the goals expected of you by your manager! Be honest with yourself before going into your meeting about the tangible changes that could help you be most successful. Whether it be adapting your working hours, allowing late starts to factor in therapy/medical appointments, cutting down tasks like presenting to the team if public speaking causes you anxiety, or even simple things like rejigging the ‘seating plan’ so your desk is near to the door in case you need to quickly remove yourself from a situation. These changes aren’t likely to be ground breaking for your employer, but are the small and positive steps that can ultimately help you feel most at ease and in control. 

Know your rights

Whilst in an ideal world your boss would give you all the empathy, support and guidance you’d hope for when being vulnerable and honest, if your discussion doesn’t go as hoped, it’s good to know where you stand legally when it comes to the support you are entitled to from an employer. The ‘Time to Change’ website (an endlessly helpful resource for all kinds of mental health support and guidance) says “If your boss is unhelpful or dismissive, remember they have legal duties under the Equality Act to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ and not discriminate in recruiting, retaining or promoting staff. Mental health problems are a disability under the Act so you are likely to be protected, but always seek legal advice”.

Hopefully this guide provides you with a basic and semi ~achievable~ framework for approaching the subject with your boss, and reassures you that you’re deserving of support and adjustments to help you feel comfortable and thrive in the work place. One difficult and anxiety inducing conversation could lead to endless benefits- you got this! *Hugs*