Abigail Davies works with us on FC Cymru, our online magazine programme for the Football Association of Wales. She also recently produced a video for BBC Sesh on mental health. Here, she explains why:

It is estimated that 1 in 4 of us in the UK will experience a Mental Health problem each year. If left untreated, they can manifest and impact all aspects of our lives. Causing deterioration of productivity means problems can occur in the workplace. 

There have been times where I’ve had no income because I’ve been unable to leave the house, crippled by depression and confined to my bedroom. I’ve taken days off work to plan suicides, plan my funeral, and because I have been so malnourished that standing for any length of time could cause me to collapse.

Whilst working in retail, during my time at university, I suffered a bout of depression and an eating disorder relapse which resulted in me taking 2 months off work. During that time, I did not leave my bed. I saw nobody but my mother for 8 weeks. I didn’t speak, I didn’t wash, I just existed.

My employers did not understand and would phone every single day demanding to speak to me and threatening disciplinary action – something I only found out when they got in touch with my mother. I was too poorly to look at my phone, it had been switched off and tossed to one side. 

The company insisted it was the correct procedure and persisted despite hospital notes explaining otherwise. 

At one point, they commented that I was being stupid and could just eat if I really wanted to work. I quite swiftly left my position when in recovery.

Fast-forward to working as a freelance journalist and reporter - Due to my aforementioned negative experience, I worried that all industries would stigmatise and treat me this way, and whilst my mental illnesses were largely under control, I was not exempt from relapsing. Thankfully, I could not have been more wrong and my mind was put at ease.

At EatSleep Media and Sky Sports, people have taken the time to understand not only how they can help me try to retain a healthy mind-set, but also learn what I need and what happens when I’m not well. They allow me the space and time to recover whilst checking in, knowing that I may not answer for a week or two.

I talk with my employers at all jobs about my mental health, openly, and it is never forced – we talk about it as we would our physical health and I am incredibly fortunate to have that.

It alleviates stress and anxiety that I would feel daily about a potential relapse and I believe it goes a long way in helping me keep on track. 

If someone seems different at work, if there is a noticeable difference in their productivity, their energy levels or their character, it might be a sign that they are struggling.

Thankfully more and more companies are acknowledging and understanding that their workplace needs to be a safe environment for the mind as well as body, and one which is open to mental health discussions and safeguarding.

There are many mental health charities that can offer help and advice to employers who may be dealing with the sensitive matter of talking to someone with a mental illness and techniques on how best to approach it. I have put the links to a few below.

Abi x

Mind Charity - https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/4661/resource4.pdf

Beat, the UK’s leading eating disorder charity - https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/supporting-someone/worried-about-employee

Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/workplace/