Episode 44: Starting Work - Struggling with anxiety

In this episode, Joe speaks with Minnie from Invictus Wellbeing about how young people can prepare for work when anxiety or mental health challenges feel overwhelming. They explore the difference between normal nerves and anxiety that might need extra support, focusing on how intensity and impact on daily life can turn worry into a barrier.

Minnie unpacks common challenges that young people face when moving from education into work, including fear of failure, low confidence and imposter syndrome, social anxiety, burnout after exams, depression that affects motivation, and neurodiversity related pressures such as ADHD and autistic burnout. She shares practical strategies for job searching with anxiety, from breaking applications into small steps to using simple grounding techniques before interviews.

The conversation also looks at whether to disclose mental health needs to employers, what reasonable adjustments can look like in the workplace, and how routines can build psychological safety before starting a job. Minnie closes with a powerful message for anyone feeling left behind: struggling does not mean failing, getting support is a strength, and employment is a path where everyone moves at a different pace.

If you are looking for further support or information, you may find these links helpful:

• Invictus Wellbeing - West Yorkshire Children and Young Person's Mental Health Charity 
  https://www.invictuswellbeing.com
• NHS: Help for Mental Health
  https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
• Mind: Information and Support
  https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
• Young Minds: Support for Young People
  https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/

This project is a part of Wellness Work programme funded by One Community Foundation Kirklees https://one-community.org.uk/ and is being delivered in partnership with TSL Kirklees https://tslkirklees.org.uk/ and Kirklees Council https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/default.aspx.  

Wellness Works Small Grants is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. Healthy Working Life aims to deliver the region’s work and health plan and its vision for West Yorkshire to have the healthiest residents and workforce in England by 2040.

 

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.    

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Special thanks to Locala and Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music.