Is it okay to be open about your mental health?

Sour Lemon · May 11, 2018

I'm just curious.
I don't mean while actually practicing with a patient and in the work setting but outside in your personal life and online.
The are people online that are advocates for mental health. I just wonder if you can be a nurse and talk about your personal experience with your mental health recovery and relapses online or is it a risk to your job/etc if you do that.
I wasn't sure where to post this and I'm also a nursing student. This just crossed my mind.
thank you
sorry for my grammar

You can share your experiences anonymously, but it's not a good idea otherwise.

julsca · May 11, 2018

Make's sense. I did share an experience anonymously via a poc healthcare workers zine

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · May 11, 2018

I would not advise it. Sometimes people look for a weapon with which to hurt you. Also, if the BON get a hold of that information they could put you in a monitoring plan and restrict your license. That information is private.

julsca · May 11, 2018

I figured. I just wanted clear validation from those that are experienced.

thank you.

i hope I am not making myself look bad asking this.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 11, 2018

Not at all. It's a good question and it deserves honest answers, which have been given to you. I agree with previous posters who have advised you not to disclose your mental health condition where potential employers can see your posts. It's a shame, because mental health advocacy is so important and there are too few people willing to share that part of themselves. Even in this supposedly enlightened age, mental illness is still pretty much a taboo subject and there is a LOT of prejudice toward those who suffer from one of these conditions.

I personally have been open about my bipolar disorder since I was diagnosed. Unfortunately, it has cost me jobs and made it difficult for me to get a new one. I gave up and went on disability several years ago as I got to the point where I couldn't work. So being a mental health advocate is much easier for me now. In retrospect I might not have been so open if I'd known it would wreck my career.

I guess what I'm trying to say is be wise about talking about your condition online. Change your user name if you're using your real name on social media, even though it may not protect you completely. It's sad that we have to resort to subterfuge in order to get ourselves out there in the world of advocacy without risking our livelihoods, but for now we have to work with the reality that our conditions are still highly stigmatized. I wish you well.

julsca · May 11, 2018

Not at all. It's a good question and it deserves honest answers, which have been given to you. I agree with previous posters who have advised you not to disclose your mental health condition where potential employers can see your posts. It's a shame, because mental health advocacy is so important and there are too few people willing to share that part of themselves. Even in this supposedly enlightened age, mental illness is still pretty much a taboo subject and there is a LOT of prejudice toward those who suffer from one of these conditions.
I personally have been open about my bipolar disorder since I was diagnosed. Unfortunately, it has cost me jobs and made it difficult for me to get a new one. I gave up and went on disability several years ago as I got to the point where I couldn't work. So being a mental health advocate is much easier for me now. In retrospect I might not have been so open if I'd known it would wreck my career.
I guess what I'm trying to say is be wise about talking about your condition online. Change your user name if you're using your real name on social media, even though it may not protect you completely. It's sad that we have to resort to subterfuge in order to get ourselves out there in the world of advocacy without risking our livelihoods, but for now we have to work with the reality that our conditions are still highly stigmatized. I wish you well.

Wow Your words mean so much to me. I felt really silly asking this and vulnerable at the same time. I don't think I'll do it but I have def thought about it. I really appreciate your input. I just hope one day i can openly talk about it in that manner without risking my career.

OldDude · May 11, 2018

Well...uh...you see...I have this "friend" who... :nono:

caliotter3 · May 11, 2018

The littlest thing, the biggest thing. Talk about your personal life and issues to, or around, the wrong people, and you will eventually find out the hard way that you provided someone with ammunition to use against you.