Many employees with anxiety or depression question whether or not they should tell their manager. Most of us spend on average a third of our adult life at work. Openly discussing mental health in the workplace should be seen as a good thing as it encourages people to get the support they need earlier.

Research from the UK has found that only 35 per cent of employees feel comfortable telling employers about their mental health. Thirty three per cent worry about damage to their career progression and 23 per cent are concerned that their manager would think less of them.

“A supportive workplace can play a big role in recovery by providing security, social connection, and a sense of purpose. Having a supportive manager has been shown to be the most crucial factor in remaining at work with a mental health condition.” – Beyond Blue

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to telling people at work about your mental health condition – everyone’s circumstances are different. As with many big decisions you’ll face in life, this one comes with pros and cons.

What does the law say about it?

There’s no law that suggests you must tell your employer if you have a mental condition – unless there’s a risk to yourself or your colleagues. If you do decide to tell your employer, they have a legal responsibility to maintain your privacy, protect you from discrimination and make changes in the workplace to support you.

So, before you make your decision, here some questions to ask yourself;

If you’re still unsure about your decision, Beyond Blue’s  interactive tool  can also help you decide on having the conversation. If you do decide to disclose, choosing how to is important. Beyond Blue has also developed a conversations planner to help you think about what you’re going to say.

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Originally published by Beyond Blue – Click here to access original article

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