Mentioning MH Problems

[Aardbei]

Hi everyone - I just watched The World's Maddest Job Interview and am now worried that mentioning my mental health problems on job applications might be affecting my chances.

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I'm applying for mostly assistant psychologist jobs involving working with people with mental health problems. These are really difficult to get onto and I've had either no response or rejections, and I'm now worried my mention of my MH problems may be why. This is how I've phrased it:

"I have personally experienced mental health problems which I have successfully overcome through various therapeutic techniques including cognitive behavioural therapy. My experience of CBT helped me to better understand how it works in practice and showed the clear link between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. I developed a much greater self-awareness during my therapy and I feel I am more able to empathise with others because of this personal growth. This is also the reason I feel very strongly about helping others in the same way I was. This personal investment makes me motivated and enthusiastic about this position. However, I also understand the importance of professional boundaries and that my own challenges should be kept separate from the work I do."

I've tried to give it a positive spin and show how this can be an asset. However, I'm now worried this is doing more harm than good.

I hope that the area I want to work in would be positive in their attitude towards MH problems. Also, I don't really want to work for a psychologist who discriminates against people with mental health problems! A rejection letter I got praised me for my bravery and candour and said they thought it was a positive thing that I mentioned it (although I still didn't get the job!) Do you guys think I should remove it from my application? I'm just really concerned that I'm shooting myself in the foot here.

Thanks if you read!

[Stellata]

Maybe it could be rejigged to say that due to situations in your life you've had the privilege to experience psychotherapy from skilled and experienced therapists who really knew their job and helped you move forward in your life and have the courage to use your skills to the benefit of others...? Well, in a shorter sentence obviously!

[ratboy75]

Tricky one - what you've said sounds really great and I think it's well worth putting one your cv - sounds all very positive and insightful. I'd be inclined to keep trying with that approach, hard to scale it back to reduce your personal experience without losing all the things you would bring to that type of role.

Best of luck! :)

[random.swirls]

I think what you've said is fantastic but getting an assistant psychologist job is tough tough tough.

The way I see it is will put some recruiters off some recruiters will be indifferent and some will view it positively.

Xox

[Lemur]

I know that a lot of employers in the MH field do like to employ people who can empathise with patients/service users. When I was in in patient I found out that a lot of the staff had previous MH issues such as depression, one has BPD, anxiety issues, alcoholism etc. Those were the ones who were able to empathise and connect better with the patients, so I'd see it as a positive not a negative.

[Aardbei]

Thanks everyone. I feel the same way as most of you - surely it should be seen as an asset. At the same time, it is always something I could mention at interview if they asked me about personal experiences, and would mean I had more to talk about.

I don't know. I'm going to try sending off some applications without mentioning them and see what happens. I actually got offered an interview today and I didn't mention it on my application form (although the job doesn't involve mental health problems so I didn't see it as relevant). Will have to see. Thank you all!