I make sure I set clear expectations

In 2012, things were tough for me. I wasn’t able to manage all my tasks. My boss initiated a casual conversation in which he asked how I was coping with the pressure. I hadn’t explicitly told anyone that I had a mental illness at that point of time. And I took this conversation as a chance to speak about it, and tell my boss that there was no short-term fix. It was received well. My workload decreased, and I was given the space to do things to help me cope -- whether it was going on a holiday or working from home.

I’ve been fortunate to have supportive colleagues. I don’t suffer from deep depression anymore, but I still have my ups and downs. I work in a small organization with a collaborative working environment. So I make sure I set expectations clearly, particularly when it comes to tasks and deadlines. I’m also very open. I tell others that I am a sufferer and can empathize with them.