Taking a risk - speaking out publically as a consumer

On April 26'th I'll be addressing an ON Human Rights Commission Tribunal Hearing, on discrimination against people with addictions and mental health issues. It's being organized by my psych hospital's empowerement council.

I'll be speaking about my experience about being forced into disclosing my mental health and addictions history at my last job, and how I believe that disclosure led to my losing that job. I kept a copy of the questionnaire I was forced to fill out, and I'll be taking copies of that with me.

I'm just more than a little nervous as this will be my first time publicly speaking and using my name as a consumer, and there's a chance it'll make it into the paper. I don't have a huge axe to grind, I'd just like to call attention to my former employer's illegal practices.

I'm just a bit nervous about it.

-splitimage

Good for you ((splitimage))). Have you thought about legal action in relation to this? I don't the law about this.

Way to Go (((splitimage))) Good For you!!! I hope it works out for you!

A wonderful Self-esteem builder..... YaY for YOU!
Later, Crew

Split, you're intelligent, articulate and a survivor...thanks for speaking out for all of us. We need all the advocates we can muster.

Good for you..I wish I could stand up to the injustices and stigmas surrounding MI. I'm proud of you and you should know that every single PC member will be with you that day...giving you support and thanking you for advocating! IMO - You rock!

Good for you, splitimage. Being nervous is not unusual. For me the best antidote for nervousness is being prepared. Writing out a sentence or two as a reference if needed to start the presentation helped me prime the pump. Usually within minutes the nervousness was forgotten and the preparation took over.

Good luck.

Cogratulations. That's great that you are going to educate so many of those that are ignorant about our illness. I don't know much about the job situation and what's legal and not legal, but you might want to consult with a lawyer. A girlfriend of mine was sexually harrassed at work and got a nice settlement. I was also sexually harrassed a work and told HR but didn't persue a lawsuit for various reasons but a year or two after the fact she said I should have gone after them. I know it's a different topic but you faced discrimination. Good luck with your talk.

Apparently you aren't alone:

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/...ights-watchdog

Thanks for the link Perna. I do get the Star but somehow had missed that story. Nothing in it surprises me.

I did talk to a couple of HR types who suggested I file a discrimination complaint against my former employer, however I decided I didn't have the emotional energy to go through with it. Plus my former employer is very high profile so it would have made the news, and i didn't want my name dragged through the papers as that would pretty much make me unemployable.

Thanks everyone for the good wishes.

-splitimage

That's great, splitimage!! I have no doubt that you will do well.

SplitImage- I think you will do great.

Thank you, splitimage. Tell what was done to you. Let the light be turned on so that actions like your employer took can be looked at by a wide audience. Employers rely on the reluctance of the victim to, also, stand in the light. But stand there, in the light. Nice to hear your psych hospital has an "empowerment counsel."