‘WERE YOU OFF SICK yesterday?’

‘Yeah, just a bit of a cold.’

For those who have experienced days where their mental health gets the better of them, it’s hard to admit why you just weren’t able to face into your usual responsibilities when your alarm went off that particular morning.

But when research conducted by Kantar Millward Brown in April 2017 found that almost 4 in 10 would conceal a mental health difficulty from family, friends or colleagues, it’s important that we start talking about it.

In fact, stigma reduction campaign See Change have identified the work place as a key environment to change people’s attitude in relation to mental health.

So, tell us: Would you be willing to discuss your mental health with your colleagues? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section. 

Last month, we heard from a few famous faces who have shared their own stories in an attempt to normalise mental health issues in Ireland. Would you be worried about the consequences of doing the same?

Even if the idea of telling your boss or a trusted colleague about your mental health makes you uncomfortable, you have a number of mental health rights guaranteed by law including time to attend appointments and allowing people to work from home.

Remember, problems feel smaller when you share them. If you need to talk, contact for free:

• Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org (available 24/7)
• Aware 1800 804848 (depression, anxiety)
• Pieta House 1800 247247 or email mary@pieta.ie – (available 24/7)
• Childline 1800 666666 (for under 18s, available 24/7)
• HSE Counselling in primary care (for medical card holders 18 or over).
• See a comprehensive list of phone and online supports, and more information, on www.yourmentalhealth.ie.

Read more: 8 simple changes to make to your work day that can boost your mental health