The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘mental health at work’.
We spend much of our adult lives working, so it’s important that we choose workplaces and careers which don’t contribute to or create mental health problems.
An important part of looking after your mental health whilst at work is to make sure you are supporting your wellbeing.
We have compiled a list of things to keep in mind when searching for a workplace that will support good mental health, and how to look after your wellbeing once you are in a job:
Research potential employers’ values
Being proactive around your well-being is something that starts with the job search!
It’s important to check that the values of any potential employer align with your own.
It can be useful to get a sense of workplace values from the job description or after a little bit of research on an employer’s ethos and culture.
A good place to start is our guide on Finding inclusive employers. You might also find our neurodivergent and disability inclusive employers guide useful.
Don’t lose your identity
You should be able to bring your authentic self to work, and it can also be great for your well being to build genuine social bonds at work. As discussed above, finding a workplace that aligns with your personal values is the first step, but what about the office culture?
Reaching out to people who work in an organisation you are interested in can give you a real sense of what it’s like to work there. If that feels like a daunting prospect, check out our Informational interviews for research guide which talks you through how to clarify the goals of the meeting, how to find and connect with the right people to talk and how to conduct the meeting.
You can also use sites like Glassdoor to read reviews by employees.
Reflect on what you want from a career
Some people value high pay and job security much more than making friends at work or having time to explore other interests.
Though these things aren’t always mutually exclusive, it can be useful to think about what you need from a job.
You might find it useful to think about what roles would be a good match for you. Check out our Exploring career options guide to get started.
Work/life balance
You’ve heard it before – the old cliché about work/life balance… but it’s really important!
Hopefully, your university experience was full of fun – maybe you joined a society, learnt a new hobby, did loads of exercise classes, or volunteered with local communities. Getting a job doesn’t mean your hobbies and interests has to stop. Your free time is very valuable and important to help you’d decompress after a busy week at work!
The Mental Health Foundation has an excellent resource on work-life balance.
Take time to figure out what’s good for your wellbeing
As a new graduate, you have time to figure out what you want from a career. Figuring out what keeps your well-being in check takes a lot of reflection and is likely to change frequently. That’s ok! Every experience is an opportunity to learn more about yourself (as well as an opportunity to add to your CV!).
I have a mental health condition. How can I get support in a workplace?
If you have a mental health problem, you may feel nervous about telling your employer or a prospective employer about it. You might feel worried that you’ll be judged or receive unfair treatment because of it. However, if your mental health problem is a disability and you want the protection of the Equality Act, your employer needs to know about it.
Workplaces can be very different environments from education. Workplaces and recruitment processes can also vary significantly. Therefore, you may not be sure what adjustments you need. There is support available at the Careers Service to help you find work places that will support your needs, but also to ensure you know what you are entitled to in the recruitment process
- See our dedicated careers guide for disabled and neurodivergent students. It includes:
- tailored Careers Service support
- information on adjustments when applying for jobs and in the workplace.
- To ask questions, and find out more about how we can support you, you can:
- book a 15 minute in-person careers meeting
- book a 15 minute online careers meeting
- complete the Careers Service support request form.
- Register with EmployAbility to get advice about work-related adjustments and advocacy support. Once you have registered, e-mail them at info@employ-ability.org.uk to start the conversation.
If you’re feeling lost, don’t forget…
We can help!
No matter what stage you’re at in your career thinking, we can help. You can take a look at our overcoming careers anxiety guide, or book an appointment with us.
Remember that you can access mycareer for up to three years after you graduate.
University life is full of ups and downs.
The University has a range of support available to all students, including undergraduate, postgraduate, home and international, to help you stay well so you can get the most out of your time here. Explore the Health and wellbeing website.