I'm training to be a teaching assistant but in the past i've had mental health problems?

Question

I'm training to be a teaching assistant in the UK but in the past i've suffered from mental health problems. Is there anyone i can ask or anywhere i can go to find out if these issues will stop me getting a job as a teaching assistant ?. I know schools are, quite rightly, very strict on who can work there.

Answer 1

By mental health issues do you mean depression, schizophrenia, bipolar? As long as you have these issues under control and I would assume that you are on medication you do not have to disclose any of this personal information to you employer. Mental health problems are just that health problems and they are confidential. That is why you doctor can not disclose this diagnosis to anyone else. If you need some further advice with regards to this issue feel free to contact me and I will try to assist you. If everyone was upfront about personal issues nobody would be hired. It would be like me going in for a job and saying that I have a bad back. There are some issues you keep to yourself and mental health has such a stigma attached to it still, that it is best to not mention this. Discuss these concerns with your physician, counselor, or therapist. You will end up being oppressed, and there are many individuals who have mental health problems that have successfully worked their entire career without any type of incident. Hope this helps and stop worrying everything is going to be ok.