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How to be mentally healthy at work

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

Work and mental health  

This resource is for people managing their own mental health at work. 

On this page: 

  • Is working good for my mental health? 
  • What if work is making my mental health worse? 
  • What if I’m unemployed? 

Is working good for my mental health?  

Many people find that working is good for their mental health. A job can help you look  after your mental health by providing: 

  • a source of income 
  • a sense of identity 
  • contact and friendship with others 
  • a steady routine and structure 
  • opportunities to contribute and gain skills. 

“We work closely together as a team and being part of that gives me a sense of self worth and builds my self-esteem.” 

At times your work may be affected by your mental health problem. For example, if you  are experiencing depression, you might feel so tired that you are unable to work. But with support from your employer, you can make some changes to help manage and  improve your mental health at work.

What if work is making my mental health worse?  

If work is having a negative effect on your mental health, try to figure out what is causing  this. It could be: 

  • suffering from workplace stress 
  • having poor relations with your colleagues 
  • doing a certain type of work 
  • being treated unfairly because of your mental health problem (experiencing stigma)
  • deciding whether to tell your employer about your mental health problem
  • worrying about returning to work after a period of poor mental health. 

“I was proud of my ability to keep my anxiety hidden from my colleagues and saw it as a  sign of strength. Until the day it became impossible.” 

Whether you have a mental health problem or not, your employer has a duty of care to  you under health and safety legislation. You have the right to work somewhere safe. This  means where any risks to your health are properly assessed and controlled. 

For more information, visit information from Equal Opportunities Commission – The Disability Discrimination Ordinance and People with a Mental Illness/Ex-mental Illness, and Hong Kong Community Legal Information Center – Disability Discrimination.

What is disability discrimination?  

Disability discrimination is when you’re treated badly because of having a disability, or  something related to being disabled. 

Under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance Cap 487, your mental health problem is a disability if it: 

  • “affects your thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or results in disturbed behaviour”
  • “results in you learning differently from a person without the disorder”
  • includes a disorder that presently exists or previously existed but no longer exists

You can also contact the Equal Opportunities Commission for independent help and advice.

How can I stay mentally healthy if I’m unemployed?  

You might be unemployed as a result of your mental health problem, or for reasons  which don’t involve your mental health. Some reasons could be: 

  • redundancy 
  • long-term sickness 
  • lack of opportunities 
  • relocation 
  • dismissal 
  • not being well enough to work. 

When looking for a new job, it can take time to find a suitable role, write applications and prepare for interviews. This can feel very challenging. 

You might also find that being unemployed affects your confidence. It can feel disappointing if employers don’t get back to you. See our pages  

on wellbeing and increasing your self-esteem for ways to look after yourself. 

“I was unemployed for quite a few years after being made redundant from my role at  another organisation. I went into a very bad state of mind.” 

Who can support me in finding a job?  

If you have a mental health problem, you may sometimes face barriers to finding employment. The following organisations can support you: 

What if I’m not well enough to work?  

If you’re not well enough to work, there are still ways of getting the benefits of having a  job. You can meet new people, gain skills and contribute to a community. If you feel able  to, you could consider the following activities: 

  • Try volunteering. For local volunteering ideas and opportunities, visit HandsOn Hong Kong
  • Join a community group. You could check local notice boards, social media groups and newspapers to see what’s on near you. 
  • Do a free course. Some colleges and universities offer distance learning courses that cost nothing at all. You can study remotely in your free time.

Sometimes you might even need to take a break from work for your mental health.

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 16 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

Work and mental health  

Work and mental health  

This resource is for people managing their own mental health at work. 

On this page: 

  • Is working good for my mental health? 
  • What if work is making my mental health worse? 
  • What if I'm unemployed? 

Is working good for my mental health?  

Many people find that working is good for their mental health. A job can help you look  after your mental health by providing: 

  • a source of income 
  • a sense of identity 
  • contact and friendship with others 
  • a steady routine and structure 
  • opportunities to contribute and gain skills. 

"We work closely together as a team and being part of that gives me a sense of self worth and builds my self-esteem." 

At times your work may be affected by your mental health problem. For example, if you  are experiencing depression, you might feel so tired that you are unable to work. But with support from your employer, you can make some changes to help manage and  improve your mental health at work.

What if work is making my mental health worse?  

If work is having a negative effect on your mental health, try to figure out what is causing  this. It could be: 

  • suffering from workplace stress 
  • having poor relations with your colleagues 
  • doing a certain type of work 
  • being treated unfairly because of your mental health problem (experiencing stigma)
  • deciding whether to tell your employer about your mental health problem
  • worrying about returning to work after a period of poor mental health. 

"I was proud of my ability to keep my anxiety hidden from my colleagues and saw it as a  sign of strength. Until the day it became impossible." 

Whether you have a mental health problem or not, your employer has a duty of care to  you under health and safety legislation. You have the right to work somewhere safe. This  means where any risks to your health are properly assessed and controlled. 

For more information, visit information from Equal Opportunities Commission - The Disability Discrimination Ordinance and People with a Mental Illness/Ex-mental Illness, and Hong Kong Community Legal Information Center - Disability Discrimination.

What is disability discrimination?  

Disability discrimination is when you're treated badly because of having a disability, or  something related to being disabled. 

Under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance Cap 487, your mental health problem is a disability if it: 

  • “affects your thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or results in disturbed behaviour”
  • “results in you learning differently from a person without the disorder”
  • includes a disorder that presently exists or previously existed but no longer exists

You can also contact the Equal Opportunities Commission for independent help and advice.

How can I stay mentally healthy if I'm unemployed?  

You might be unemployed as a result of your mental health problem, or for reasons  which don't involve your mental health. Some reasons could be: 

  • redundancy 
  • long-term sickness 
  • lack of opportunities 
  • relocation 
  • dismissal 
  • not being well enough to work. 

When looking for a new job, it can take time to find a suitable role, write applications and prepare for interviews. This can feel very challenging. 

You might also find that being unemployed affects your confidence. It can feel disappointing if employers don't get back to you. See our pages  

on wellbeing and increasing your self-esteem for ways to look after yourself. 

"I was unemployed for quite a few years after being made redundant from my role at  another organisation. I went into a very bad state of mind." 

Who can support me in finding a job?  

If you have a mental health problem, you may sometimes face barriers to finding employment. The following organisations can support you: 

What if I'm not well enough to work?  

If you're not well enough to work, there are still ways of getting the benefits of having a  job. You can meet new people, gain skills and contribute to a community. If you feel able  to, you could consider the following activities: 

  • Try volunteering. For local volunteering ideas and opportunities, visit HandsOn Hong Kong
  • Join a community group. You could check local notice boards, social media groups and newspapers to see what's on near you. 
  • Do a free course. Some colleges and universities offer distance learning courses that cost nothing at all. You can study remotely in your free time.

Sometimes you might even need to take a break from work for your mental health.