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5 Ways to Cope With Mental Health Struggles at Work

"You don't have to be positive all the time. It's perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn't make you a negative person. It makes you human." — Lori Deschene

Molly Rose Cohen

May 23, 2020

Albany, NY

5 Ways to Cope With Mental Health Struggles at Work

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It's hard enough dealing with mental health issues on a daily basis - depression, anxiety, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, etc., are hard mental health issues to face and even harder to deal with at work. Just because you leave home does not mean your mental health issues stay at home - they can easily go with you to work making it hard to focus on work. I constantly struggle with mental health issues at work and easily find myself running to the bathroom to cry or have an anxiety attack. Here are five ways to hopefully help you cope with mental health struggles at work.

1. Talk to your supervisor

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Believe it or not, your supervisor can help you with work or personal struggles if you're having a tough time. Not all supervisors are strict and if you are lucky enough like me to have one you can talk to about your struggles, they can be incredibly helpful to make your time at work easier and give you any insight, advice, and solutions. Supervisors are leaders and are there to help and support you.

2. Inquire about mental health programs offered by the workplace or starting a support group

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Many companies offer programs, mental health information, groups, and other supportive gatherings to help people deal with with mental health issues. My company offers information about mental health consultations through our health benefits. If you company offers no supportive groups or data, you can always inquire about starting a group at work or offer ideas to make the workplace more "fun" and comfortable to work in for those with mental health issues, such as doing something small from a pizza party to something large like asking the CEO to hold a mental health convention. The possibilities for support are endless.

3. Take your breaks and use your personal time

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Some bosses make you feel guilty for taking time for yourself but in the grand scheme of things, everyone is easily replaceable. Take the time off if you need it and take you lunch breaks; they are good for self-care and for recuperating.

4. Leave work at work if you can

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If you can, LEAVE WORK AT WORK! Home is for fun, self-care, self-love; if we are constantly working, when can we relax? I know not everyone can leave work at work, but if you can please do it. I never read work emails at home!

5. Remember you are human and it's okay to cry at work

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We are told to not cry at work but were human so I think that notion is ridiculous. I ran to the bathroom so many times to cry so no one would see me. Were human and if you break down crying in the middle of work, it's OK. Just remember to get support and reach out for help when it it's affecting you negatively.

Hopefully these strategies making dealing with mental health issues at work a little easier.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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5 Ways to Cope With Mental Health Struggles at Work

"You don't have to be positive all the time. It's perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn't make you a negative person. It makes you human." — Lori Deschene

1. Talk to your supervisor

2. Inquire about mental health programs offered by the workplace or starting a support group

3. Take your breaks and use your personal time

4. Leave work at work if you can

5. Remember you are human and it's okay to cry at work

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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