We need your help to break down workplace prejudice!

[cathtastrophe]

You don't look depressed?
What do you mean you're feeling incredibly anxious???i ssid meeting -now?!
Shes a ticking time bomb and we have to get rid of her before she explodes-not on my time!
She cant cope
Don't bother asking her to come along she'll just cry....
Just to name a few...and this was in a public service position!

[Crazy_Bug_Lady]

Sorry if I'm late to this. I've had a shitty day, so I'm gonna vent all that I've been told in the past. Every thing has been going round and round my head all day, so maybe if I get it out I can sleep...

I get stressed out too" (as a response to my disclosure of having Social Anxiety)

"What are those scratches? Hahaha are you a cu__er, it's down, not across" While I believe she was *joking*, they were genuinely accidental, and I had been suffering dreadful SH urges at the time. That comment unfortunately was the last straw, and I relapsed badly that afternoon.

"Snap out of it"

"She's just being lazy"

"We all have bad days"

"Why are you overreacting?"
"Just calm down" -these two comments really get to me. In what reality would they be said to someone having a panic attack or similar, and that actually help?? I'm still amazed I haven't punched anyone who has said this to me...

"We weren't avoiding you, just you didn't seem to want to talk, so we left you alone"- after feeling ignored for 3 weeks.

I have heard all of these at least once. And you know what the worst part is??
I have received every single comment listed from my supervisors.
I work in Health for the state government.

[Appleblossom]

I am sad to read these experiences. I'm glad I dont work in the "normal" "workforce". It doesnt surprise me though as I hear enough tough talkers out in the community who often cant take what they dish up. So why express intolerant bigoted remarks ... they are just publicly venting their anger without regard for consequences of damaging others.  Rather than changing their attitudes they label people as sick  ...

The clash I am having in choir ... started becasue a woman kept making annoyed remarks about an obviously vulnerable socially awkward young man, and I gently and politely pulled her up about it.

[Tess]

I've remembered some more...

"I don't ask you how you are because I don't want to know " - from team leader who would say 'hi, how are you ' to EVERY team member except me

"you should put a sign on your desk telling people what mood you're in so they know if they can talk to you or not" - ie, let's literally put a label on you

"suck it up"

"life's a bitch"

"I have 10 other things to deal with today that are more important than talking to you"

"isn't there somewhere that people like you can live and be secure at night"

"I can't seat anyone next to you because they may be impacted by your problems"

"you can't cope"

"I didn't include you because I didn't think you would cope"

"just be positive"

[Krissy]

Hi everyone,
Another thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread.  I've been quite shocked at some of your experiences. Horrified really.
Please keep your posts coming, as they are helping us put together a very powerful message.  I hope to have a proof of the poster by next week.
We will be sending the final result to the media and mental health orgs to distribute in the leadup to mental health week.
Many Thanks,
Kristen, Ostara Australia

[Mactown]

Our son, aged 52 has been with 5 different employment agencies over 6 years and still does not have a position. He was a health professional bru lost registration due to Depression. He is deeply depressed at being unable to find meaningful work and has expressed that he would rather be dead than unemployable. His desperation greatly worries and troubles us and we find it difficult to go on at times. he is socially isolated as when he goes out he says the first question is " What do you do?" and he feels ashamed.

Mactown

[Appleblossom]

> I have found it difficult to engage in general conversation because of that question too. But in the last 5 years I am feeling a bit of a "fight back" attitude.
>
> I can quite honestly say I have lead a rich life, been a company director, worked with the Sudanese, worked on fishing out bottom of the harbour schemes etc etc .. and then there is the music ... in some ways it was become a deliberate "external boundary" to project all the things that I have done when I dont feel a person is respectful or decent about my current situation. Which ironically is largely due to OVERWORK.
>
> That said .. When I was volunteering at a prominent City Centre  ... ie getting their catalogue up to date ... I was served the "suck it up line" ... its just that I appear ... a person who is in pain .. sorry cant hide it even if my demeanour is cheery ... I had to listen politely to whinges about colds and paying rent etc ... poor overeducated gorgeous darlings ... conversation goes two way. ...and I was working on excell though I felt a bit computer challenged but I found out I am not really that bad on computers just put down by the IT side of my family ... I could do the job without supervision... now I have set a boundary ...I listen to 1-2 flu/cold conversations from any one person and respond sympathetically but after that if I cant get respect for my situation ... I start making less sympathetic noises. That is a big change for me.
>
> I am now working on respecting myself more and not putting myself down or shooting myself in the foot ....
>
> I have been in the fulltime work force plenty ... and they do need a shake up.
>

[NikNik]

It's time like this I wish there was a 'dislike' button.

It's really scary that these sorts of comments are made.

But thank you all for sharing and trying to turn this horrible experience into education for others.

[Phoenix82]

You're letting down the team

[Krissy]

Hi everyone,

Thanking you all very much for contributing to our poster - please find attached the final product!

Your help will assist us in breaking down prejudice surrounding mental illness in the workplace, and advocating for creating more mentally healthy workplaces.

We unfortunately couldn't include all of the comments posted, however we greatly appreciate all of your feedback, and would like to offer all of those who contributed comments for us to add to the poster a free printed copy for your wall.  If you would like one, please email me your postal details to info@ostara.org.au with the subject heading: Mentally Healthy Workplace Poster.

A press release has been sent out to the media which will direct employers to download their own copy via the Ostara Australia website.  We have also sent out the poster via social media and printed copies will be given to all of the employers attending Ostara Australia's #Investmental Employer Forums this week in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  So the message is getting out there!!

Thank you again and wishing you all a great week for Mental Health Week!

Warm Regards,
Kristen 🙂