just life

[craftyperson]

hi i am a newbie here to this forum.

i have been on workers comp for about a year and a half now, i am currently attending 4-5 appoinments a week, plus work, plus study. i am currently on stress leave just due to having no time to do anything for me.

i just spoke with my regional manager and they think that i should quit my job due to the fact that i have depression and anxiety and stress and because i work with children.

i got told that due to me working with children that i should no longer work with children due to my mental health. i am sooo confused as i am not the only person in my work place that has mental health issues and works with children. i got told that i hould go casual and just work occasionally but i really dpnt want that. but not sure how to return to work due to them not wanting me to work there anymore.

i am currently studying my diploma in early education and care but i kinda feel its a waste of time due to my wrist injury not sure if i can continue working in that feild which is why i am currently staying in the role i do as i can still do it even though i have a wrist injury.

[Former-Member]

I'm really sorry to hear you're having a hard time right now. Taking out stress leave was a great decision.

One thing... the idea that you should not be working with children because you have mental health issues is oversimplifying things. I know a lot of people are going to rip into your regional manager for saying that, but it's understandable if you don't know much about mental illness.

The problem, of course, is that mental health issues often go inward. Even if you have trouble taking care of yourself, it doesn't mean you're not going to put all your energy into taking care of your kids. Try to explain that to him. It sounded like a suggestion, rather than order anyway, but still.

My sister works in childcare, and one of her colleagues opened up to her about her struggles with suicidal thoughts. My sister often looks up to this woman in her own work, because of her leadership and the fact that she's been around for so long. She is that good at working with children.

Good luck ❤.

[ShiningStar]

Hi @craftyperson 

I just wanted to reach out and welcome you to the forums - it’s great to have you here 

I’m so sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you right now 

Sadly, in my experience, mental health issues aren’t well understood and as such, they often evoke feelings such as fear, anxiety, intolerance and frustration from those around us. As a result, people often draw inaccurate correlations between mental health issues and peoples competence, credibility, behaviour, their ability to interact safely and appropriately with others and their ability to successfully and meaningfully participate in life 

Absolutely! Many people who live with mental health issues work with children and families and they do a wonderful job  I’ve actually spent the majority of my career working with children and families - during which time I’ve held some very responsible positions 

I can really hear your confusion and uncertainty in relation to how best to return to work and my heart really goes out to you  Attempting to return to work after a leave of absence can be an incredibly daunting, overwhelming and stressful experience  With that in mind, I felt concerned when you mentioned that your Regional Manager ‘think that I should quit my job’ and ‘I ‘should go casual and just work occasionally but I really don’t want that’ and I just wondered if perhaps you feel pressured and / or intimidated to make decisions that you don’t feel overly comfortable with? 

I’m not too sure what state you live in, but here in Queensland, there are several organisations that people can contact in relation to their rights and obligations as an employee. For example, Legal Aid, the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Office of Industrial Relations. As such, I just wondered if you would feel comfortable contacting the equivalent services in your state  That way, you may be able to receive some information, guidance and support in relation to your own particular circumstances 

You also mentioned that you’re currently receiving worker’s compensation and I just wondered if your return to work would be supported via a formal process such as a return to work programme which (from my understanding) would be guided by you, your treating specialist and a representative from your HR Department?

Also, just while I remember, if you would like to reply to another person’s post, just place an @ in front of their username (just like I did for you) and they will receive a notification that you have replied to them 

I hope that this helps you a little bit 

Take care of yourself,

ShiningStar