Nursing & Healthcare

Biography

Biography: Heather MacDonald

Abstract

In this paper the results of a qualitative study involving 40 women who returned to work aft er being off for a minimum of threernmonths are presented. Th e women reported that they wore a mask due to the stigma associated with having a mental illness.rnUnfortunately wearing this mask further contributed to the feelings of social isolation the women experienced. Women werernasked about how depression aff ected them at work and about their experiences of returning to work. Responses included “Irnneeded a gradual return” and “I had no support-if I had a broken leg there would have been support”. Women return to work forrnfi nancial reasons because their sick time has expired and to combat social isolation. Some of the barriers to women returning tornwork that have emerged from the data include stigma and discrimination, a fear of self-disclosure and concentration and memoryrnissues. Strategies for combating these barriers will be discussed.