WHEN Maryborough woman Tracey Smith disclosed her struggle with mental illness to a former employer, the news received a frosty reception.
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“Things went downhill really, really quickly for me. If I made the smallest mistake, they would blame it on the mental health,” she said.
Ms Smith has just completed her certificate four in mental health care and believes she has found her calling, hoping to find work in the mental health sector.
“I’m so passionate about standing up for mental health rights. A lot of people get abused and don’t have the capacity to stand up for themselves,” she said.
Going back to school as a grandmother was initially challenging.
“Because of my mental health I thought I would fall flat on my face and fail but with perseverance and support behind me I got through it with flying colours,” she said.
She said the experience left her with a new found confidence.
“I’m able to stand up and say ‘I’m a person, I’ve got things to offer, I can be just as skilled if not more than you in some places’,” she said.
Ms Smith said employers needed to recognise and value the skills of their workers who were battling mental illness.
“[Employers should] have a better understanding of what mental health issues are and give people a fair go rather than having negative attitudes,” she said.
“Have an open mind, encourage them and support them. People with mental health issues contribute to our communities in such big ways.”
St Luke’s Anglicare regional director Carolyn Wallace said it was important to overcome stigma about mental health in the workplace.
“We want to get across the message that employment is important for all people,” she said.
“Economic participation is vital for our wellbeing and connection to our community. Mental illness should not be a barrier to that.”
Ms Wallace said the message was slowly getting through.
“There’s starting to be a change. We’ve had a lot of very public initiatives and a lot of public figures who’ve been very open with their own ways of dealing with mental health issues,” she said.