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[M421]Mental Health And Work

by David Mcevoy, Dav

A department of work and pensions review in September 2006 found that being in work is good for mental health and that those who had mental health problems and were unemployed had higher suicide rates. It is a sad reality today that many people with mental health problems still struggle to get a job despite the fact that in general they are more likely to want one. They represent the largest group of unemployed people and even if they do manage to find a job, they will often have difficulty in keeping it. Why is this?

People with mental health problems are more likely to worry if they have to take time off work for any reason or if they find it hard to cope with some of the tasks involved in carrying out their work on a daily basis. Their plight can me made even worse by employer's who don't understand mental health issues or by work colleagues who may feel resentful if they perceive someone as being treated more favourably because they receive extra help and support as a result of mental health problems. All this is still happening daily despite government initiatives and massive campaigns to educate the people about mental health.

The fact remains, any single one of us can be affected by a mental health problem at any time. Mental health problems don't discriminate. Regardless of your background, gender or social status, there is a good chance that either you or someone close to you will be affected by mental health issues at some point. Indeed, it is estimated that at any one time a fifth of the population is suffering from some kind of mental illness.

Should you tell your employers?

If you are trying to find work and you have a mental health problem you might understandably be reluctant to tell your potential employer about it in case it jeopardises your chances of getting the job.

Similarly if you are already in work, it may be that you would prefer not to talk about your mental health problems with your employer and will try to just get on with the job and struggle through alone.

Although there are still problems with discrimination in the work place and stigma surrounding mental health issues, people with mental health problems have rights like everyone else and employers have a duty of responsibility to make sure that people with mental health problems are not discriminated against and are given what they need to keep and sustain their job.

Deciding whether or not to be open with your employer about your mental health is very much an individual choice and will ultimately depend on several factors including your relationship with your employer, how understanding they are likely to be and whether or not they will perceive your mental health as something that will influence your ability to carry out your job.

There may be occasions when you have to take time off work. If this is likely to happen on a regular basis or for any length of time then it is probably better to keep your employer fully informed about your situation. If you have been off work for a while then you could possibly find it difficult to return to work even though you feel you are ready to do so. If this situation arises then it might be worth considering asking your employer if you can cut back on the number of hours you work temporarily or if you can have flexible working hours so that the prospect of going back to work full time isn't so daunting.

So what are your rights?

If your employer doesn't ask you specifically about mental health problems when you apply for a job then you don't have to tell them, however, if you are asked and you choose not to disclose the information then you can be dismissed for it later on should your employer ever find out.

However, your employer is also obliged to abide by the law, which means that you have the same rights as anyone else who has a disability. It is unlawful for any employer to discriminate against someone either in work or applying for work purely because they have a mental health problem. Employers have a duty of responsibility to make reasonable adjustments according to your needs. Obviously this is widely open to interpretation so if in any doubt, seek professional advice.

It's only natural that an employer is concerned about your ability to carry out your work effectively as their business depends on it so being open with your employer or a potential employer about what you are capable of and what you can realistically do from the very beginning may prevent any misunderstandings or disputes later on and can contribute to a positive working experience for everyone.

The positive effects of the use of discount vitamins are more prevalent today than in the past. It is estimated that there are approximately 44.3 million people in the United States with a diagnosable mental disorder. These can range from depression, bipolar disorder, and premenstrual syndrome, to schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. In light of those tough statistics, mental health and medical professionals know that keeping the body and physical wellbeing healthy, can actually decrease the symptoms related to most mental illnesses.

The most important step of all is to first see a doctor or mental health specialist, either to be tested and diagnosed or to discuss with them the alternative discount vitamins that are best for your situation. While many of the disorders are rather different from one another, the types of vitamins used to treat them are fairly common.

* Depression ? Depression can be a side effect to some other drugs, including oral contraceptives. Your doctor or specialist may want to perform a test on what are called the homocysteine levels in order to check for folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies. If diagnosed with depression, there are several choices in discount vitamins and supplements including folate, vitamin B12, amino acid supplements - specifically the amino acid L-tryptophan, and vitamin B6. Another popular treatment with those who prefer natural medicines is the use of ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo is also used to treat asthma, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease and more.

* Bipolar Disorder ? Bipolar Disorder, closely associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, is naturally treated with some of the same vitamins as depression and anxiety. Most commonly used are a mixture of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin B2 and vitamin B complex. Studies have also shown that these same vitamins in addition to biotin, boron, and manganese and fish oil can be used to treat Bipolar Disorder II.

* Anxiety ? As one of the most common forms of mental illness, anxiety at certain levels can also cause fatigue, psychological and physical stress, excessive alcohol consumption and even anorexia and insomnia. Anxiety studies have also shown a links to folic acid deficiency. Many treatments include vitamin B12 and folic acid. In recent years, St. John's Wort has become a popular alternative due the ingredients hypericin and pseudohypericin, which has also shown to be helpful in ceasing anxiety.

* Premenstrual Syndrome (also know as PMS) ? For women, this is one of the most common types of disorders. In recent studies, it has been shown that most women do not take the Recommended Daily Allowance for magnesium, which is now believed to be one of the causes for premenstrual syndrome. Magnesium is known for relating to mood changes, so it is one of the most common supplements used in treating PMS. Calcium and vitamin D are also good for premenstrual syndrome. Four servings of skim of low fat milk is a great way to get that extra calcium needed.

* Schizophrenia ? Schizophrenia is a disabling and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately one percent of people in the world. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6, is very important to the brain functioning normally. This supplement, along with folic acid, methylfolate, niacin, and vitamin C are some of the vitamin supplements used to treat schizophrenics.

Once there has been a determination of the vitamins that can be used in your specific case, purchasing quality vitamins at a discount price is the next step. These can be found anywhere from vitamin outlet stores, the Internet, magazine and on television through home shopping channels. The Internet, being the most convenient way to shop, offers consumers a world of opportunity in finding the best quality discount vitamins at the most reasonable price. The most desirable sites offer considerable information all the vitamins and herbs they sell, showing that they are committed to the overall health and well being of the customers. These sites break down each vitamin and provide an explanation of how it should be used, the dosage amount and size. In addition, some offer their customers health and wellness articles that can provide the most up-to-date information of discount vitamins, health issues, and alternative medicines, in turn giving each customer the ability to make the right decisions in the purchases they make.

Water is another extremely important part of keeping ourselves healthy. To many, water is just water and nothing else, but recently this has changed. Now called ?Functional Water? by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bottled water is now classified by its origin.

* Spring water ? spring water derives from the point where ground water flows, sometimes flowing as a result of snow and ice melting or rain.

* Purified water ? This water can come from any source (ocean, spring, well, etc.), but is then purified using a process called reverse osmosis.

* Mineral water ? Mineral water contains minerals which can alter or change the taste of the water. This water is one of the most popular types purchased, and commercially offered in over 3000 brands.

* Distilled water ? Distilled water is used in many ways, most commonly known for being used to clean car batteries. The water becomes distilled by boiling it and re-condensing the steam into a container, thus removing any contaminants.

* Vitamin added water ? As one of the most popular types of water available today, this water is available with or without additional flavors, such as strawberry, lemon or grape. The vitamin water contains distilled water, electrolytes, and vitamins such as C, B6, B12 and E.

No matter the choice of discount vitamins chosen or the type of water that best fits your tastes, these simple and inexpensive additions to everyday life can truly change the way you think and feel. Dealing with a mental illness can be one of the hardest things in life, but there is help available. Making an appointment and speaking to your doctor or a health professional today can give anyone the ability to start living a life that is more fulfilling and happy.

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Both David Mcevoy & Freelance Writer are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

David Mcevoy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Aquarium Fish and Fitness. and anxiety are serious conditions that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information about depression and selp help come and visit our site. David Mcevoy's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.

Freelance Writer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, The Internet and Travel and Leisure. By a freelance writer for http://vitanetonline.com/, who sells quality vitamins and herbs with a wide selection of : http://vitanetonline.com/ that are in stock an. Freelance Writer's top article generates over 823000 views. to your Favourites.