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1 in 6 Australians is currently experiencing depression, anxiety, or both. Almost half of Australians (45%) will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. But as common as mental illness is, it can still be a tough topic to raise in the workplace.

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to telling people at work about your mental health condition/s.

Whether you choose to share or not can depend on how much your mental illness impacts your role, the amount of support you have outside the workplace, and your relationships with your boss and/or colleagues.

We explore your rights around mental health in the workplace and offer advice for disclosing mental illness to your employer here.

 

Do I have to tell my work about my mental illness?

Just like with any other health condition, legally, you don’t have to tell your employer about your mental health condition unless it impacts your ability to do your job, or it poses a risk to your safety or the safety of your workmates.

Similarly, you have no legal obligation to disclose mental health problems when applying for jobs unless they affect how you’d perform in the role.

Disclosing mental illness to your employer is a very personal decision. For some people, mental health is a very private part of who they are. It may have no impact on how you do your job, or you may already have enough support outside the workplace and feel there’s not much to gain by disclosing your condition.

If you do choose to tell your employer, they have a legal responsibility to maintain your privacy, protect you from discrimination, and make changes to the workplace to support you and help you keep working.

 

How to talk to your boss about your mental health

These steps might help if you’ve decided to disclose your mental health conditions in the workplace:

• Consider who to tell – Depending on your situation and work relationships, it can be a good idea to approach HR first. Or if you have a work friend, it can help to talk to them and let them know you’re thinking of telling your boss. This support can make it less daunting.
• Think about what you need – Before you raise the topic, make sure you have a clear idea of what you’re hoping to gain from telling your employer. Do you need extra support in your role? Flexible deadlines? Shorter work hours? Or do you simply want your boss to have an idea of what you’re going through?
• Find the right time and place – Try to approach your boss on a day when it’s quiet, and when you’re in a headspace to talk in a calm and collected way. Find a private space in your workplace or suggest going for a walk or to a café nearby.

 

If you’re having a hard time with your mental health, talking to a counsellor can help. You can learn more about our counselling services here, or call 1300 364 277 to book an appointment in person, over the phone, or over videoconferencing.

For strategies to manage and reduce your workplace stress, check out this blog post.

Dating multiple people at once is a normal part of being single and a great way to increase your pool of potential partners.

Thanks to dating websites and apps, it’s never been easier to meet new people in your area that you might never have crossed paths with by chance. But as fun as it can be, playing the field requires some etiquette to ensure no one gets hurt.

Here are our top tips for dating more than one person at a time.

 

Be open and honest

There’s no limit to how many people you can date as long as everyone involved is OK with it. It’s important to be honest about your situation and your intentions from the get-go to avoid any confusion or disappointment.

If your end goal is to find an exclusive relationship, let them know it’s a possibility down the track. If you’re simply having fun and not looking for anything serious, be upfront about it. Chances are your dates will be understanding – especially in the early stages where you’re just getting to know each other.

 

Accept that your dates might be doing the same

It’s common for singles to keep their options open, so don’t be surprised if your dates are also dating multiple people. Communication is key to ensure you’re on the same page about what you expect and what you’re looking for.

Remember: You can’t expect exclusivity from someone if you’re seeing other people yourself. If you have a problem with it, you might like to ask yourself why you feel that way and whether that points to a deeper issue.

 

Don’t kiss and tell

No one likes hearing the details about their date’s other love interests. When you’re on a date, be completely present with that person and make them feel like they’re the only one on your mind.

While it’s important for your dates to know you’re seeing other people, you shouldn’t spill any further details – especially their identity.

 

Don’t overbook yourself

As fun as it is, dating can be tiring – especially if you’re seeing several people at once! You feel pressured to present the best version of yourself, and you’re working hard to remember their interests and keep the conversation flowing. This can be mentally and physically draining.

It’s important to keep your wellbeing in mind and balance your dates to ensure you have some downtime in between. And whatever you do, don’t double-book!

Wondering when it’s time to call it quits? Discover advice in our blog post Should We Break Up?.

What do you picture when you think of domestic violence?

Maybe you imagine some swearing that leads to yelling that leads to shoving and ends in hitting?

There are many forms of domestic abuse, and all types (such as emotional, verbal, sexual, financial and physical abuse) can be just as damaging to survivors.

This article will explore some warning signs of escalation of domestic violence.

If you believe you or your children are in immediate danger, please call 000.

 

What is domestic violence?

While physical violence is domestic violence, abuse can occur in many ways. 

Some types of abuse might include a partner who:

• Is extremely jealous or possessive
• Wants to know where you are and who you’re with at all times
• Tells you who you can and can’t speak to or spend time with
• Tells you what to wear or how you should look
• Controls all the finances in the home
• Belittles you in front of others or when you’re alone
• Blames you for all the problems in the relationship
• Believes in rigid gender roles (e.g. man who expects woman to cook and clean)
• Yells and/or uses disrespectful language when speaking to you
• Puts you down and criticises you
• Pressures you into sex or sexual acts
• Throws things or punches walls when angry
• Threatens violence to you, your children or your pets
• Makes you feel unsafe.

All of these behaviours are a form of domestic violence. If you experience one or more of these, you might be in an emotionally abusive relationship, which can have serious damaging effects. 

Patterns of abuse can change over time, and these behaviours may change to include acts of physical violence.  Physical abuse can also come out of nowhere. 

You can learn more about emotional abuse and where to get help in this blog post.

 

What escalates domestic violence?

It’s important to remember that domestic abuse is a choice and the responsibility lies entirely on the abuser – regardless of external circumstances. There is no excuse for abuse.

With this in mind, there are some circumstances where domestic violence can escalate, including:

• Jealousy e.g. suspected infidelity
• Sudden job loss
• Financial stress
• Alcohol or drug use
• Untreated mental health issues.

Again, abuse is a choice that only the abuser is responsible for, and external factors like these are not an excuse to hurt others.

Someone with a drug or alcohol addiction who abuses their partner might become sober and still choose to abuse their partner.

 

Where to get help

RAQ offers a range of counselling and support services for people affected by domestic and family violence and those who use power and control within their families.

Learn more about these services and how to access them here, or call us on 1300 364 277 Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm and Saturday between 10am-4pm.

We discuss the types of domestic and family violence, how to create a safety plan, and where to find help here.

 

Support contacts

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811

DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636

Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800

Lifeline: 13 11 14

If you believe you or your children are in immediate danger, please call 000.

We’re looking for people who gamble at least twice per week to participate in an online survey.

As part of a Flinders University PhD student research project, they’re developing a healthcare app for gamblers and want to hear from you. This survey will ask a series of multiple-choice questions about your feelings toward apps, then ask for your opinions on their app.

The survey will take 15 minutes, and participants will receive a $20 voucher for their time. Please click here or use the URL address below to begin the survey.

https://qualtrics.flinders.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_9oc8FBpZpqrIoMS

If you have any questions, please contact the lead researcher at [email protected]. You will remain fully anonymous throughout the survey.