Cecile says she was “in denial” about her mental health for years. A manager urged her to seek help

Key points
  • The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is about prioritizing mental health at work.
  • Cecile Sy compliments a manager who urged her to seek professional help for her psychological problems.
  • A warning sign that your mental health may need attention is if you ‘constantly feel overwhelmed or worried,’ says expert.
Disclaimer: The information in this article should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease for therapeutic purposes as a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional. This article contains references to suicide/self-harm.
The theme for this year on October 10 it’s: ‘It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace’.
Philippine-born Cecile Sy said that when she first told her family she was seeking help for her mental health, they tried to discourage her, thinking it was only for “crazy people.”
Sydney-based Sy, now a volunteer speaker for said there was still a stigma and taboo around mental health issues in many culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

“Growing up in Asia, there was pressure to excel because of high competition. Like many parents, mine viewed academic success as a path to a good job and financial stability. They didn’t have much growing up and wanted a better life for their children.” Myself and my siblings, so they sent us to Manila for a better education when I was 11,” she said.

There is limited mental health awareness in the community and a culture of face saving.

Cecile Sy

“You only show your best side and avoid discussing issues. Our parents went through tough times and intergenerational trauma. When you share your struggles, they talk about overcoming their own hardships, inadvertently invalidating yours. “
Sy said that after moving to Australia for postgraduate study in 2004, she worked jobs unrelated to her communications degree, such as working in a call center to “pay the bills”.
After struggling with migration and experiencing racism from call center customers, she said her mental health began to deteriorate and she engaged in self-destructive behavior to cope.
Although her life and career eventually improved, she said she faced personal challenges and lost loved ones over the years.

She said she saw more warning signs that her mental health was at risk, including “crying, racing thoughts, chest tightness, not eating or sleeping properly, loss of concentration and self-confidence.”

I went to the toilets at work to cry.

Cecile Sy

It was her manager at her communications job – Steve – who helped “turn things around.”
“He encouraged me to take time off and seek professional help. He assured me that he just wanted me to get better,” Sy said.
Sy said that by seeing a GP for a mental health plan and being referred to a psychologist, she began to heal and manage her depression and anxiety.
“I started to understand some of my problems: perfectionism and equating my self-worth with my performance,” she said.

“I was in denial for years. My family suggested I pray more, but sometimes spirituality is not enough. Often people wanted to help but didn’t know how, by offering solutions instead of listening.”

‘Feeling flat, stuck or lacking motivation’

Beyond Blue spokesperson and clinical psychologist Dr Luke Martin said workplaces can expose people to ‘excessive stress, unreasonable demands, bullying or discrimination, which can negatively impact our mental health and potentially cause mental illness or can worsen an existing condition. “.

“In the early stages, people may often have a vague and ‘fuzzy’ feeling that they just haven’t been themselves lately; and that there has been a change in their usual way of thinking, feeling and acting,” he said.

Some specific warning signs to look out for are:

  • Constantly feeling overwhelmed or worried
  • Not enjoying activities you usually do
  • Feeling flat, stuck or lacking motivation
  • Having difficulty concentrating or maintaining attention on tasks
  • Problems sleeping
  • Feeling of irritability or getting angry more quickly
  • Withdrawing from social activities or relationships, and
  • Feeling empty or without purpose.

He said the best way to approach a colleague who you suspect is struggling with their mental health is to use the “Ask, Listen and Support” strategy.

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Beyond Blue’s spokesperson, clinical psychologist Dr. Luke Martin. Credit: Beyond blue

“’Ask’ is about finding a quiet time and private space to open the conversation and ask if you’re okay,” he said.

“’Listening’ is about being empathetic and hearing what’s going on in a caring, non-judgmental way.

“’Support’ means helping your colleague explore options for doing what he or she can do about his or her feelings. You can encourage him or her to seek help from the Employee Assistance Program in the workplace, with their GP or with organizations such as Beyond Blue.”

‘Remind yourself why your work is important to you and others’

The ten most important tips from Dr. Martin for protecting mental health at work are:

  • Limit working outside regular hours. Disconnect so you don’t check emails or make calls outside of business hours.
  • Take regular breaks and move your body.
  • It’s okay to say “no” or reprioritize tasks when demands are high.
  • Use mindfulness or breathing to manage stress.
  • Check your thinking to make sure you are interpreting situations in a balanced and useful way.
  • Stay in touch with your colleagues and support each other.
  • Be kind to yourself when you make a mistake or when something doesn’t go according to plan.
  • Reconnect with why you do this work. Remind yourself why your work is important to you and others.
  • Communicate with your manager if work is affecting you.
  • Take advantage of mental health support in the workplace.

‘Self-care toolkit’

Sy encouraged others to put together a “self-care toolkit” to help manage their mental health.
Her own “toolbox” included physical activities such as tennis, swimming, Pilates, yoga, dancing and Zumba, as well as spending time with loved ones, doing things she enjoyed, volunteering and trying new things.

She recently returned from nearly six months of teaching English in Spain as an immersive way to learn Spanish, an ultimate dream, she said.

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Cecile Sy recently fulfilled a lifelong dream: learning Spanish in Spain for almost six months. Credit: Cecile Sy

“Remember, you don’t have to struggle alone or be ashamed to seek help,” she said.

“Also take a look at your friends, family or colleagues.”
Sy said workplaces should be a “safe” environment where employees feel they can approach a manager when faced with personal or work challenges.
“We need to be conscious of not burning out employees. They need to feel supported and safe to ask for help at work,” she said.
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for under 25s). More information and mental health support is available at and on 1300 22 4636.
supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

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