Should DS mention anxiety on employment questionnaire

[dahliaaa]

The obvious answer is 'yes' but not sure if right one.

He has been offered an entry level job but is really worried about the health questionnaire. He had quite severe anxiety 5 years ago. Saw GP and a counsellor a couple of times via Cahms but managed to get through it without medication.

Hasn't needed to see GP about it since (been to uni. Did well. Held down various part time roles etc)

He's concerned that if he puts it down it will work against him - but if he doesn't that's against the 'rules.'

Thanks

No. It was 5 years ago and he had a couple of sessions of counselling. Really no need to say anything IMHO

No, it was quite some years ago, so no need to mention it.

Thank you for quick replies.

Not the answers I was expecting - I thought everyone would say - 'yes of course he has to declare.'

I guess my concern is if either they send him for a medical / ask for gp record

Or he had some returning symptoms at some point and it came out then and they could do something because he hadn't declared.

I don't have any experience of these things.

The anxiety was five years ago, with CAMHS do when he was a child.
He doesn't need to disclose counseling sessions as a child five years ago.

I work in HR and would not expect him to disclose this as it was such a long time ago, he was a child and he seems to have recovered well and is no longer in treatment.

No. I too was under the mental health team for anxiety, depression and PTSD but I got help, counselling and I'm still on ADs but I don't declare it on job apps as I'm better now and my previous conditions no longer affect my effectiveness in a job role. Good luck to your son and well done him for overcoming his mental health issues.

I work in HR and also would not expect him to disclose this.

Also, if he had some returning symptoms, whether or not he had ‘declared’ should have no bearing on how it would be dealt with.

There are many people who decide never to declare a MH issue even if it's ongoing. People can develop coping strategies to deal with a MH condition either long term or episodic or short term resolved.

Your DS would not be breaking any "rules" or employment law by choosing not to reveal an issue such as anxiety. Even if it recurs at a future time, he can choose either to reveal it to his employer in order to seek support Eg a Reasonable Adjustment if it's debilitating enough to affect his life, or to enable him to gain access to Occ Health assistance, or he could choose not to say anything for his own reasons.

In this case I agree with previous posters that he has no reason to disclose his previous resolved anxiety. The employer would not be able to get hold of his medical records without his consent, and they would not be able to justify it anyway.

Of course he doesn’t need to. Are you telling him he has to? It was five years ago for goodness sake.

There is no must about it, companies aren't entitled to know your medical history unless you want to tell them. If there's an ongoing issue that may affect work then it's in your sons interest to let them know in advance so adjustments can be made for him if needed to help him in his work, companies are only required to offer support and help for issues they know about. If this won't affect the job he doesn't need to put it down.

Also, if it was completely dealt with with a couple of counselling sessions and no medication then I’m not sure that classes as severe anxiety.
But no. You don’t need to declare a couple of counselling sessions 5 years ago.

guess my concern is if either they send him for a medical / ask for gp record

If they do ask for this he can refuse or tell the doctor he wants to see the information before it's sent and he could stop it then if he wanted to. Companies aren't entitled to your medical information without your consent and there's no law that says you have to give it.

No. He had a problem, had treatment and it’s been resolved with no return for several years.

It depends if he still or recently received counselling and medication for it but typically no. If however he thinks he might need additional support in the work place just incase regardless of how long ago then yes absolutely state it as it is more beneficial to do so and helps in the long run cover any issues just incase.

Thank you so much for all the answers. Really helpful. I'll tell him he doesn't need to declare.