Removing the mask: Women returning to work after a lapse due to depression

6^th World Nursing and Healthcare Conference

August 15-17, 2016 London, UK

Heather MacDonald

University of New Brunswick, Canada

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Women who experience depression often refer to wearing a mask to conceal their illness. In this paper the results of a qualitative study involving 40 women who returned to work after being off for a minimum of three months are presented. The women reported that they wore a mask due to the stigma associated with having a mental illness. Unfortunately wearing this mask further contributed to the feelings of social isolation the women experienced. Women were asked about how depression affected them at work and about their experiences of returning to work. Responses included â�?�?I needed a gradual returnâ�? and â�?�?I had no support â�?�? if I had a broken leg there would have been support.â�? Women return to work for financial reasons, because their sick time has expired and to combat social isolation. Some of the barriers to women returning to work that have emerged from the data include stigma and discrimination, a fear of self-disclosure, and concentration and memory issues. Strategies for combating these barriers will be discussed.

Biography :

Heather MacDonald completed her MSc at University of Toronto, Canada and her PhD in Nursing at University of Manchester, UK. She has been a Professor at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Canada, since 1990. In addition to having authored a number of publications, she has presented papers at various local, national and international conferences. In addition to working at the University of New Brunswick, she has a Parish Nursing Practice.

Email: Heatherm@unb.ca