It’s #WorldMentalHealthDay today and the theme is workplace mental health. As someone with a rare skin condition, Epidermolytic Ichthyosis (EI), this is an important theme for myself and the wider visible difference community.
At work, the stressors of varying workloads, responsibilities and interactions can impact mental health. With a visible difference, this can be amplified. When you work in a customer-facing environment especially, you may meet people who have not come across a visible difference before, or may ask inappropriate questions. It is important for employers to recognise and be able to action responses for situations where their employees may feel uncomfortable.
It presented an opportunity to have a valuable conversation about how work can impact your mental health when you live with a visible difference.
Once, at a networking event, I was offered a handshake but I noticed soon after that they surreptitiously wiped their hand on their trousers. their eyes watched my hands, and then my neck and face. The other person was clearly uncomfortable and did not know how to react, but in that moment I knew that addressing it may make the other person feel embarrassed. All the while, I continued to talk, pretending that the awkward interaction had never happened. Unconsciously, I was putting my own feelings about the interaction aside to make that person feel better. After all, I was representing my employer, I did not want to make a fuss. Awkward situations happen, at work and outside of it, but it admittedly made me feel quite strange.
When I initially told my colleagues and my employer about things that I can experience at work, they were shocked. But it created a good opportunity for a valuable conversation about the ways in which the working environment can impact my mental health. An inclusive and encouraging employer who understands you really does make all the difference. I would encourage employers to listen to their employees who live with visible differences and to implement training and provide reasonable adjustments for those that would like the option.
Awareness days like World Mental Health Day provide a good reminder for all of us to check in on ourselves. Keeping in touch with your mental well-being, especially when you have a visible difference, is incredibly important.
When I feel down, I also make sure to connect with friends, family and people I know with Ichthyosis to bring me back up.
The influence of social media is powerful when you are faced with what is deemed the ‘ideal’ body, skin, face, hair. Sometimes, it feels as if there is no escape. One of the many things that I do is to take breaks from social media, to only engage with it for contact purposes and to keep in touch with friends or loved ones. I found that apps that have short videos that allow you to scroll for hours on end can be quite damaging to mental health, and so I have deleted some apps altogether. Instead, I’ve set myself a goal to read at least two chapters of my current book a day, and I’ve been able to rediscover my love of reading (studying History at University admittedly took it out of me!).
When I feel down, I also make sure to connect with friends, family and people I know with Ichthyosis to bring me back up. Talking and addressing how you feel can alleviate many burdens, as much as it can to take time for yourself. Talk, go outside, cuddle your pets, treat yourself to your favourite snack. Snickers Creamy Peanut Butter bars are my go to at the moment!
Lastly, remember that Changing Faces is there for you if you’re struggling with the emotional impact that your visible difference might be having on you. Reaching out to their support and information line or attending online group support can make a huge difference and is a good investment into the future you (and it’s completely free!)
I also recommend the Changing Faces Skin Camouflage service, which my dermatologist recommended to me as a teenager – a time where my mental health was not good.
I can still remember the feelings in my stomach before going into my skin camouflage appointment – it was rife with butterflies! But the moment I was greeted, I felt at ease. An array of makeup lay in front of us, designed to colour correct and conceal, but in a way that would bring someone confidence rather than hide their appearance.
Although the product didn’t work for me, I was able to talk openly with the practitioner about why I wanted to use makeup. I felt heard. I rarely had the opportunity to address the fact that I wanted to wear makeup to fit in alongside my peers, but in the appointment, I realised that I will always look the way I do, I just have to find what works for me and make my own path in my appearance journey.
I came away from the skin camouflage appointment feeling ten tonnes lighter. I felt listened to, and I had the opportunity to address my worries in a space that was understanding and non-judgemental. Although I have since dabbled in makeup, I realise that taking care of myself and embracing my skin has done me wonders. It has taken years to get here, but it is so important to be kind and patient with yourself.
