Mental Health Problems - Would you feel safe around someone who suffers or has suffered?

Question

I have the un-enviable task of saying Yes or No - to a Gentleman who has applied for a Job within my Department. - who has indicated that he suffered from Depression... Have you worked with someone who suffered from Depression or some other form of Mental illness... Should I give this person the Job..? or is he a risk ?

Thank's for all you Answer's it - it made me open my mind a bit more - I am a tad annoyed the Question got 2 Thumbs down... Anyway.. You will all be pleased to know I have sent out a letter of acceptance to the Gentleman - he will be employed with no blot on his record. Best Wishes Lord G..

Answer 1

Well he was honest enough to mention it, so I would say that is a very good characteristic! Give the man the break he probably needs and deserves!

Answer 2

I suffer from depression and I am no risk to anyone, if I wasn't disabled I would be looking for a job and would like to think that potential bosses would be open minded enough these days to overlook the fact that someone may suffer from any kind of mild mental illness and just look at the fact as to whether I was qualified and good enough to do the job.

Depression doesn't stop anyone from working and doing a good job. I think you are being predjudiced against people with mental health problems. There is no reason why this gentleman wouldn't be suited to the job.

Answer 3

I have been diagnosed with Depression... I've been on Anti-depressants for 10 years...
The Gentleman, that has applied for the vacant job.... Is he a reliable worker ? How much time, has he taken off sick?
Ignoring his health problem? for a moment... Do you think, that he is right for the job?
perhaps, you should ask the gentleman outright, if he still suffers with depression and if he takes a medication for the depression... and when, was the last time, that he had a relapse, with his depression.
If the Gentleman, does suffer with depression, he has probably got the depression, under control, as he manages with day to day routines and goes to work.
You ask, should you take a risk, with the Gentleman...
Only you, can answer that question, after you gather the Gentlemans information and references...
He is firstly and for-most, a Human being... the fact? that he has Depression, is just his handicap, when trying, to get on in his life.
Please don't judge a person, by an ailment, disability or desease etc etc...
Mental illness is a scary title... Depression, is due to a lack of a particular chemical in the brain, but when the Depressed person, is supplemented with Anti-depressants (man made version of the chemical)... the person, will be stable and don't forget, the Gentleman, would have appointments, with his care giver (psychiatrist) who would prescribe his anti-depressants and be vigilant on the Gentlemans mental health.

Good Luck with your task.

Answer 4

Would you say no to him if he'd previously stated he'd broken a leg?

Depression is just another illness that manifests itself in a psychological rather than physical way.
This man had an illness that unfortunately and regrettably still has a lot of stigma attached to it, yet he had the courage and honesty to divulge it to you. These are positive qualities in your candidate, not negative ones. The fact that he did admit it shows that he doest have a problem with it, and nether should you.

Believe me, I know from personal experience how difficult it is to divulge a history of mental illness when applying for a job.

Having history of depression does not necessarily mean he is likely to relapse (and remember ANYBODY is at risk of depression, meaning ANYBODY you employ could develop it), it doesn't make him a bad worker, and it certainly doesn't make him a risk.

Please, forget the stigma, open you mind a little bit, and give the poor man a break. Judge him on his application and interview. Does he have the qualities required to be good for the job? How did he come across in the interview?

Whatever you do, don't judge him on a piece of his medical history that may not even be applicable any more.

Answer 5

Give the guy a break.More of the population suffer from depression than you think and most hold down jobs.I admire his honesty.You could ask if he was prepared to confide in you how he manages his depression but i think this is a bit cheeky.If you are an equal opportunities employer and you fell he is the best candidate for the job then you really should be offering it to him.I think you are way off track assuming he is not safe to be around and maybe you should look into how depression does or does not affect those who have it to educate yourself.You never know you may be depressed someday and you would not want others to believe you are a risk.(please do not assume i am angry...it's just the straight way i have put things)

Answer 6

I my self have suffered with quite severe depression for over 10 years. Even as i performed onstage over five years ago now, i was at my worst. Quite lonely and isolated. the one thing that kept me going was being able to work. It was a world only i existed in with my colleagues and friends, not to mention the audiences.

and so was quite a valuable escape from my problems that created my depressive states. Mental illnesses are very common and very widespread and effect all of us at one time or another. I would say give the person a chance, it could be more than just what they need right now! You may have a unique opportunity to send someones life in a new direction, or even save one! Any one you employ that does not come up to scratch, you would dismiss as any sensible employer does. I don't think you have anything to worry about. and besides, if your clever enough to be in the position to say yes or no, you need never have asked the question. please let me know what you decide?

Answer 7

It shouldn't be about the fact he has depression but whether or not he feels he can do the job...be there on time...be able to concentrate on his job...prioritize his work...meet deadlines...not be calling in all the time...you have to be careful because he has told you he has a condition ahead of time and he has rights since he told you that...it may be different in each state...but really he should not be treated any differently than anyone else...remember it should not be on his depression but on how he performs the job...I have severe major depression and don't work because I have times when I stay in bed for 2 or 3 days at a time...I am not mean to other people just sad all the time...I have trouble concentrating and remembering as well...I would be very clear with him about the job and make sure he is ready to perform the job without problems.

Answer 8

If he is qualified for the job and the only thing holding you back is the depression factor then i would say give him the job. There are so many different forms of depression and it affects each person differently. If there is no indication that his illness has gotten in the way of his work in the past then there should be no reason not to hire him.

Answer 9

if you read the posts on this site, you'll see there are alot of people suffering with depression or mental illness, & none of them seem threatening to me.
I suffer with depression & mental illness & having been in a mental hospital before going to work, the people in hopital were the kindest people I had met. At work, I was attacked & abused verbally, emotionally & mentally by numerous people at work who were "normal" & didn't have a history of depression etc... on numerous occasions. I don't know why perhaps I was an easy target but the fact remains same. I think all the real dangers are running around pretending to be healthy & normal.
This has been my experience but you have to use your own judgement. It shouldn't be a prejudice against him, he could be a good/bad person regardless of his illness.

PS> I totally agree with nomudgy but most probably the normal ones are more of a risk!

Answer 10

If this person is the most qualified for the job, then there should be no question about hiring him. Hundreds of people suffer from depression and other mental illnesses that you would never know about. There is a good posibility that there are already people in your department receiving or have recieved treatment for a mental health concern and you don't know about it, and you probably feel perfectly safe around them.

Answer 11

I really respect the guy for admitting to his problem! it means he recognises that he has it, but the fact that he has applied for the job and been this open about this past mean that chances are he is 100% fine. and anyway, you cant discriminate against people like that!

you could always ask for a reference from his GP. at the end of the day, if he wasnt well enough to work, he wouldnt be applying for the job.

People can get over Depression and never be affected by it in the future, so i think you should give the guy a chance. good luck! :)