For several years, Sarah, 55, from Oxford, has worked as a Team Secretary on a mental health ward, ensuring the smooth running of non-clinical operations such as ward rounds, staff training records and accreditation processes.
In the last two years, Sarah also took on additional responsibilities, often covering for departments without admin support. But as her workload grew and resources remained limited, Sarah’s mental health and wellbeing began to suffer.
Sarah explained: “I was overloaded and constantly stretched. On top of my own responsibilities. I was covering other wards, stepping in for my line manager when they were off and I didn’t always have access to the resources I needed to do my job properly. I was working long hours just to keep on top of everything, and I kept pushing myself.
“I started to blame myself when things weren’t done on time. I questioned my ability and felt like I had no structure. It felt like no-one cared but I still carried on even though I knew I wasn’t coping, until burnout hit, although I didn’t immediately recognise that was what had happened. I was superficially functioning, but I wasn’t okay. I kept thinking that things would get better, but they didn’t.”
As her mental health declined, Sarah found herself struggling both in and out of work: “I got to the point where I thought, what is the point? I didn’t want to carry on.”
After struggling to get a GP appointment, Sarah eventually saw her doctor who signed her off work for six weeks. In December, when she returned to work on a phased basis, she was referred to Occupational Health, who encouraged her to refer herself to the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service.
After being contacted by Mental Health Support Service Coach, Rebecca, Sarah recalled: “During our first few sessions I would just cry I was so low, but Rebecca was brilliant. She allowed me to work things through at my own pace, never judging and always listening.”
Sarah received nine months of support where she was provided with practical self-help tools and resources including information on work-life balance, setting boundaries and being more assertive.
Sarah reflected: “My calls with Rebecca were so impactful. However long the calls lasted, her focus was completely on me. That one-to-one support was exactly what I needed.
“She gave me the strength to approach my manager about the challenges I was facing, as well as the tools to make real changes. With her help I’ve taken ownership of my work-life balance. I now leave work on time, and I have the confidence to say ‘no’ – which is massive for me.”
Sarah’s outlook has transformed since receiving help from the service: “I’m now in the process of coming off antidepressants. I’ve got more energy, I feel confident about the future and I’m living in a more sustainable way.
“I’d recommend the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service to anyone struggling with their mental health in the workplace. The service has been instrumental in my recovery, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without it.”