Depression and Job prospects

LegacyUser

Hey everyone,

I've suffered from depression for the most part of my life (I'm only 21 though so being a bit dramatic there lol) and I'm in college at the moment. When I graduate I will be (hopefully) working in a hospital setting.

I've just read recently that employers are allowed to turn down people with mental health issues. I'm just wondering if depression will affect my job prospects, as I will be working in a hospital? In a job interview, for example, will they ask me about this and do I have to be truthful, legally?

Thanks for any replies

LegacyUser

potential employers are not allowed discriminate against you having mental health issues, i have just recently taken up a position with the HSE and informed them of having general anxiety issues during my medical assessment and there was no problem with it and was given a formal contract of employment. Weather or not you are on medications is also irrelevant as long as your condition can be assessed as stable. If the meds are doing there job and u are fit to get up every morning and go to work and function in normality every day life and preform your working duties, there should be no issue. An issue would only arise if you are regularly taking sick leave and missing days and not able to perform your duties..

lau1247

My experience is stay truthful..

Regarding the depression, just because you are suffering from depression, it does not mean you haven't identified and is working towards resolving it..

Like any interview where they typically ask about strength and weakness, when you give an example of weakness, you would explain how you are working to eliminate this weakness and resolve it..

Granted, it's not as easy with depression however keep you chin up and always think positive and spin positive..

LegacyUser

I've got depression and I was offered a job and then told them. They declined their offer saying they'd found a better candidate.

I can't prove it.

Since then I have never told a prospect employer that I suffer from depression unless I feel it's going to affect my work.

LegacyUser

DO NOT tell prospective employers you suffer from Depression. They have no right to this information unless signed off by yourself, unless they explicitly state. Higher level government positions of trust and jobs that require a security clearance are also basically off limits with depression as a diagnosis. Keep your mouth shut from now on OP.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies everyone. Bit of a mixed response so! My hospital job won't need any sort of special clearance as far as I know, so it probably won't be made a big deal. If I'm asked or it's mentioned on a form somewhere I may just brush over it...just in case..

After all, I wouldn't technically be lying as I haven't formally been diagnosed with depression and I'm not on anti-depressants.