In my work environment I often deal with people who are having mental difficulties. What I have noticed is that in general, my co-workers are less and less resistant to consulting a professional in the mental health field. We are fortunate to have an employee help program, free of charge. If we are to give everyone a fair chance at life we all must realize that most of the stereotypes are kept alive by the co-workers. The boss is often sitting in an office somewhere. Furthermore your boss hired you; he or she was willing to give you a chance. Now if all the co-workers could do the same we would have taken a great step forward. People with a mental illness have a lot to teach us all. We must all stop and listen. I have learned a lot about mental illness through my brother Mike. In turn I am applying what I have learned to try to help others in my workplace. I am involved with my union at work at the executive level and I now help others by assisting them in their battles to be respected and accepted on all levels. I have often heard one co-worker judge that another co-worker is not really sick and is just faking in order to get some time off. I always respond that they should quit their job and should work as a doctor if they are qualified to make medical diagnoses. No doctor will knowingly diagnose a mental illness just so that the patient can get some time off work. This is considered fraud on the part of the doctor. He or she can loose their license to practice medicine. I don't know of a doctor who would take that chance when he or she has nothing to gain. Think about it!

It is up to every one to intervene and insist on respect and acceptance of all people in the work place. As of 2006 in Quebec, the law dictates that employers must provide an environment of work which is free of all forms of harassment or discrimination. The law is placing the responsibility on the employers to ensure that everyone is valued and respected by all. Sometimes we need to set one example and everyone else just kind of "gets it" after that. Unfortunately in some cases recourse is the only option left to correct the situation.

Carmy Santoro