Stress Does Harm

Chemist243

I work in a government department where credence is given to mental ill-health. Then stress and emphasis is rightly to support vulnerable people.
However, the conditions we have been working under are such that every member of staff is pressurised and feeling the impact of Government directions.
Being a long term sufferer from depression and anxiety, I had to consult my GP and was signed off for mental health issues. 1 week into a 2 week absence and my body is recovering. 

My issue has arisen from being isolated at my home address caused through equipment malfunction at work.
I want to be back but feel as if I have been sent to Coventry (proverbially). Isolation is unhelpful.

Chemist243

My GP has been as helpful as they can be in the current crisis. I went though a wash out period with Sertraline, was put onto Trazadone and the dose doubled after 1 week.
I am also glad that I am able to be proactive and use other activities that have helped in my past.
I would have been OK if it had not been for Government’s poor quality response to Covid-19 where all but 1 virus’s control were deemed important. 

Chemist243

At home my Wife has quite poor bipolar disorder and my 30 year old has schizophrenia. My youngest son lives at home as well-he’s a chef and I am very close to my middle so (27) who is a Kitchen Manager

Danielle_2022

@Davidrjgreen,
I'm sorry to hear that there's so much going on for you at the moment, though I am glad that your GP was receptive to providing help. That in itself is the first step . I think many people would agree that isolation definitely makes mental health difficulties worse, but I'm pleased that you were proactive about removing yourself from a work environment that didn't feel healthy, even temporarily. I hope that this community will help somewhat with making you feel less alone, too. The Coffee Lounge is a great, light way to join in and play games, if that's something you're interested in.

Tori_Scope

I'm also sorry to hear of your recent mental ill health @Davidrjgreen. It sounds as though taking time off of work is helping in some ways, but is also making you feel a little isolated. Have you considered seeing whether there are any mental health support groups in your area that you could attend? 

I'm glad to hear that your GP has been supportive, and I hope that the medication will help over time.

Is the equipment malfunction being looked into? It seems as though this needs to be taken seriously, as it's been affecting your mental health so much.

It must be tricky with your wife and 30 year old living with their own mental health conditions, too. Are they receiving enough support at the moment?

JaneC_

Davidrjgreen said:

I work in a government department where credence is given to mental ill-health. Then stress and emphasis is rightly to support vulnerable people.
However, the conditions we have been working under are such that every member of staff is pressurised and feeling the impact of Government directions.
Being a long term sufferer from depression and anxiety, I had to consult my GP and was signed off for mental health issues. 1 week into a 2 week absence and my body is recovering. 

My issue has arisen from being isolated at my home address caused through equipment malfunction at work.
I want to be back but feel as if I have been sent to Coventry (proverbially). Isolation is unhelpful.

Hi @Davidrjgreen
I’m sorry to hear of your recent mental health problems and pleased you feel ready to get back to work. 

I have worked in the civil service and represented many staff as part of the union. If you are in a union please do contact them.

I would encourage you to tell your manager how the equipment malfunctions and being isolated at home is affecting you and ask what they can do to help you?  You could also raise this with your HR department if that doesn’t work. 

I do hope you can get some further support and have a few suggestions about what’s available and this might help with the isolation too. From my experience there are a number of staff groups both within departments and Civil service wide groups that might help you which should be advertised internally. 

Most departments also have Mental health champions and Mental Health first aides who can signpost you to available support.  If you can’t find the information, then you could ask either your manager to support you to find out what support there is or your HR Health and wellbeing leads or Diversity leads should be able to support you. 

Another option is to see what the what the civil service charity is doing as they offer support on a vast number of things including mental health. 

I hope this helps
best wishes
jane