Mental health issues - what to say on CV

[Bouncebacker]

A friends had six months signed off from her job for depression / anxiety resulting from a stressful work situation. (In effect she had a breakdown and was really unwell) After that time she resigned and has had two years not working - one year roughly spent ‘regrouping’ - putting her life back together, and the second year doing some volunteering work (organising donations for a school uniform bank).

I’m massively proud of how far she has come and I’m really pleased that she feels ready to work again but:

I think on her CV she should just say she took time off work to spend time with her family, i.e. December 2016 to December 2017 - Spent time caring for my children

and then treat her volunteering work like a job on her CV (not claim she was paid, but list her achievements there in the main body of the CV). I think the reality of what happened at her last job could then be discussed at interview.

She thinks she should be up front I.e

December 2016 to December 2017 - Spent time recovering from mental illness

Because that’s what another friend of ours who had cancer did. (I.e ‘spent time recovering from cancer)

I’m worried that hiring managers won’t take her application further and will only see ‘mental health issues’ on her CV, she doesn’t want to lie / be untruthful. She was looking after her kids during that time - being able to do school pick ups etc was really great for her.

Who is BU? (And if you have been in this position, or employed someone with a history of mental health issues any advice?)

You are right ala it is everyone's responsibility to change this perception. In the meantime if the friend needed a job as much as I did after my own crisis you shut up.

I wouldn’t put anything on the CV. It’s a marketing document, you don’t have to put everything on it.

If asked at interview I would probably go with ‘short term caring responsibilities’ or ‘a health issue that is now resolved’. With the second they’re likely to assume cancer or similar but most won’t ask further and you haven’t lied. With the first you haven’t lied either, you’re just not mentioning it was self care due to a mental health issue.

People think they don't get hired because of disclosing a mental health condition, but there's probably loads of reasons they don't you

Because In the most recent instance I got the job then disclosed it and suddenly was let go. I suppose you could say it was job performance or whatever but I’ve done that job 15 years, I’m bloody well good at it

Not disagreeing but what if you've been off for years? No children to account for a typical 0-5yr break.

I like 'a health issue that is now resolved '. It's a job interview, not a confessional- that's as much as they need to know. I left a job myself due to stress related breakdown but didn't mention it to my new employer. If hiring I wouldn't rule someone out but it makes them higher risk compared to comparable candidates and i would feel it a bit odd to mention it on a cv (seems like maybe it's still a live issue- if it's not going to interfere with your work why mention it, and if it is then I as manager would have to pick up the pieces).

Spent time with family is correct. Sadly many employers will paper sift her if they see mental illness issues.

8GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat Family responsibilities can cover everything in human relationships. There's no need to have a 0-5 child, it could be caring for an adult sibling with a mental health issue or cancer. No one is that interested. You could as likely say renovating a house or travelling I'd imagine. ( Always wonder whether employers may think you'd been in prison though!)

Was in a similar position. Signed on with teaching agency for cover supervisor work. Experienced. College tutor. Have PhD in relevant subject area. Went from falling over themselves to get me to work for them - to complete radio silence.

It shouldn't be like this but it is.

Im retraining now and my mh doesnt impact my job but i know im judged for it.

Taboo or not, the mental illness just isn't relevant to her work life/skills/future employers.

The volunteering is (assuming she can demonstrate new or improved skills etc).

Don't mention it.

Of course you would want a forward looking inclusive employer. But that employer just means an employer who is genuinely prepared to make reasonable adjustments once you have joined the firm because frankly they do not have a choice.

All things being equal, I cannot see even a forward thinking employer being prepared to take on mental health issues over another candidate without, at the gate.

Thanks itsnowthewaitinggame

I've actually been probed quite heavily about what exactly family responsibilities entailed. I obviously gave a couple of pre-rehearsed answers and emphasised that the responsibilities were now over but it was quite awkward to the point of being inappropriate.

It made me question if I was doing the right thing. This thread is encouraging/depressing in equal measure!