Check out my website www.occupational-health.org.uk

It gives advice on dealing with mental health issues at work, particularly for the NHS

lots of people use it as an excuse, I mean there's a woman in my Mum's office who's had months off for depression and keeps getting it extended. You see her round town and she's fine.

I know this was posted in August last year but I felt like I should reply.

Mental health issues are very serious and can affect people in lots of different ways.

In short, just because someone who has been off work for mental health issues is seen around town does not mean that she is fine. Most people with mental health problems keep most of their issues to themselves and try not to make an issue out of it. In fact, a lot of people try to cover it up by putting on an act and being cheery and happy. I learnt long ago that even if I felt absolutely awful, people (especially at work) don't really want to know about it so you just say you're fine when actually you feel like pouring hot water on your hand so you can get to go home (something I once did).

I think work causes more mental health problems than people realise and it just isn't taken seriously. If you complain, you run the risk of being branded a headcase, even at the doctor's as so many GPs just don't have time for it as they are overworked.

that looks really useful.
It's a shame that these problems aren't taken seriously enough.

im only 21 and have suffed from anixity sever depression which were caused from where i worked from i had a boss with a very nasty mouth that wore me down and then developed agrophobia which i have in the past few months just gotten over. i have a new part time job now and some times it is hard with the anxity because it causes my chest to hurt and i think il stop breathing but i do try to act as normal as possible and get on with things.
some people do abuse the system set up but there are more people suffering than others think