[rubee_red]

I've recently gained a conditional job as a healthcare nursing assistant in a low secure psychiatric unit working with male offenders.

The job is conditional on satisfactory references, occupational health check & CRB.

I last self harmed and went to hospital for stitches 4 weeks ago due to upset, I have taken around 5 ODs in the last 12 months, the last being in august, 2 last november, 2 April. I am a diagnosed bulimic and have elements of depression & anxiety.

I don't know how much to disclose. I know honesty is the best policy but I think i'd be so so so upset if I lost the job offer due to my records, which is likely in my opinion. I understand that a rejection sounds reasonable due to me sounding a bit messed up when I put it down like that.

My opinion is that in a job situation I am pretty okay. I am not recovered by any stretch of the imagination but I deffo feel I am sane enough to do this job. Even if I'm not, i'd rather find out for myself and quit myself. The mental health work dream has been something since age 12 and I don't want to put my life on hold to wait for 2 years to pass by since a relapse.

I am scared that a partial disclosure may lead to a request for a doctors report and therefore everything might come out. I am scared that a full disclosure will lead me to a job rejection & a big relapse health wise for me because id be furious and feel like whats the point!? I'm scared that no disclosure at all is a rather large lie to tell and I wonder if I may get caught and lose my job that way. I want any advice and opinions going please!

[~ Mandy ~]

I would say don't hide the fact that you do suffer with mental health problems, but wait and see if they ask you for details. Explain that you are stable at the moment - do you have a psychiatrist who could verify this?
Tell them that you feel you can cope with the job and that you will be able to recognise it in yourself if you're not coping.
I had to have a occupational health check last year before I did my second placement and even though I have similar issues to you, they let me carry on.