The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is Mental Health in an Unequal World, so what better opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Trust’s Employment Support Service?
Futures Positive support people with mental health issues to find paid or alternative employment. Being employed in a role you enjoy has lots of benefits for your mental health; it can give structure, meaning and purpose to life. People with lived experience can act as mental health advocates in the workplace too, helping to break down barriers and challenge stigma amongst others.
Sarah* enlisted the help of Futures Positive earlier this year. After experiencing mental health issues during the pandemic, she found herself unsupported at work and overwhelmed by the idea of what to do next.
“I got my mental health diagnosis in September last year, after an already hard year” explains Sarah. “Things were looking rather bleak; I was off work and didn’t really know where to go with my life. I didn't want to return to the workplace I was at, but then felt the pressures of society, thinking I had to.”
“My GP suggested Futures Positive. After a couple of weeks along came Debbie. She was an absolute star! Firstly, she listened to my story and encouraged me to talk about it. This helped as I didn't feel so alone. I was going through the staged sickness meetings at work and was anxious that they were going to dismiss me - I didn't want that on my record, I wanted to go on my terms not theirs. Debbie listened and offered her help and guidance allowing me to feel more at ease about the meetings.”
Debbie has been an Employment Specialist with Futures Positive for just over a year. Before that, she worked for a charity helping vulnerable young people into work.
“Often people are shaped by their experiences both in and out of mental health services” explains Debbie. “so if they have had difficult experiences in life including schools, former employment, mental health challenges or trauma, looking for a job can become all-consuming, and any failed applications or interviews can become a confirmation of past experiences and have a massive impact on our self-belief. If you’re in work, colleagues can sometimes be very scathing and judgemental about mental health unfortunately, and this can have the same impact. But you can get back with the right support and encouragement.”
After speaking with Debbie further, Sarah was ready to look for a new job: “I wanted a fresh start, somewhere I could be happy going to and working for.
“Debbie helped me to update my CV and sent me jobs. It was a great help knowing someone else was looking out for jobs too, because then the pressure of looking didn’t feel so overwhelming. After a few months with Debbie, my confidence had grown, and my self-esteem had risen. That was all thanks to Debbie.
“After a couple of months, I started to get some interviews and after some preparation with Debbie, I felt as if I could tackle them all! Finally, my luck hit. I landed a full-time job in the public sector and couldn't have been happier. I love what I am doing now! I am still finding my way with my diagnosis but having a purpose, to get out of bed and help people, is allowing me to sustain my recovery. I couldn't have done it without Debbie. I can’t thank her enough for helping me gain back my confidence.
“My advice, from one person who has gone from a hard place to finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, is ask for as much support as you can get. It really does make that little difference to your journey of recovery.”
“I was overwhelmed [when Sarah got the job]” reflects Debbie. “I always knew how amazing she was, but to see that self-belief and confidence come back to someone who has had the hardest couple of years you could imagine, it brought a tear to my eye.
“The job itself is not the celebration, it is their journey; how they have overcome their struggles and believed in themselves. It is like seeing a flower come to full bloom.”
Futures Positive work as part of the local mental health teams across Nottinghamshire. Referrals can be made by consultants, community psychiatric nurses or occupational therapists. Self-referrals are also accepted along with a completed risk assessment.
Visit https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/employment-support-service for details.
*Name has been changed to protect identity
Sarah* enlisted the help of Futures Positive earlier this year. After experiencing mental health issues during the pandemic, she found herself unsupported at work and overwhelmed by the idea of what to do next.
“I got my mental health diagnosis in September last year, after an already hard year” explains Sarah. “Things were looking rather bleak; I was off work and didn’t really know where to go with my life. I didn't want to return to the workplace I was at, but then felt the pressures of society, thinking I had to.”
“My GP suggested Futures Positive. After a couple of weeks along came Debbie. She was an absolute star! Firstly, she listened to my story and encouraged me to talk about it. This helped as I didn't feel so alone. I was going through the staged sickness meetings at work and was anxious that they were going to dismiss me - I didn't want that on my record, I wanted to go on my terms not theirs. Debbie listened and offered her help and guidance allowing me to feel more at ease about the meetings.”
Debbie has been an Employment Specialist with Futures Positive for just over a year. Before that, she worked for a charity helping vulnerable young people into work.
“Often people are shaped by their experiences both in and out of mental health services” explains Debbie. “so if they have had difficult experiences in life including schools, former employment, mental health challenges or trauma, looking for a job can become all-consuming, and any failed applications or interviews can become a confirmation of past experiences and have a massive impact on our self-belief. If you’re in work, colleagues can sometimes be very scathing and judgemental about mental health unfortunately, and this can have the same impact. But you can get back with the right support and encouragement.”
After speaking with Debbie further, Sarah was ready to look for a new job: “I wanted a fresh start, somewhere I could be happy going to and working for.
“Debbie helped me to update my CV and sent me jobs. It was a great help knowing someone else was looking out for jobs too, because then the pressure of looking didn’t feel so overwhelming. After a few months with Debbie, my confidence had grown, and my self-esteem had risen. That was all thanks to Debbie.
“After a couple of months, I started to get some interviews and after some preparation with Debbie, I felt as if I could tackle them all! Finally, my luck hit. I landed a full-time job in the public sector and couldn't have been happier. I love what I am doing now! I am still finding my way with my diagnosis but having a purpose, to get out of bed and help people, is allowing me to sustain my recovery. I couldn't have done it without Debbie. I can’t thank her enough for helping me gain back my confidence.
“My advice, from one person who has gone from a hard place to finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, is ask for as much support as you can get. It really does make that little difference to your journey of recovery.”
“I was overwhelmed [when Sarah got the job]” reflects Debbie. “I always knew how amazing she was, but to see that self-belief and confidence come back to someone who has had the hardest couple of years you could imagine, it brought a tear to my eye.
“The job itself is not the celebration, it is their journey; how they have overcome their struggles and believed in themselves. It is like seeing a flower come to full bloom.”
Futures Positive work as part of the local mental health teams across Nottinghamshire. Referrals can be made by consultants, community psychiatric nurses or occupational therapists. Self-referrals are also accepted along with a completed risk assessment.
Visit https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/employment-support-service for details.
*Name has been changed to protect identity
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