Due to the stress brought on by the pandemic, I'm dealing with some mental health issues that are affecting my work. How do I ask for accommodations without risking my job?

The first thing you should know is you're not alone. Recent research shows almost 20 percent of working adults report having symptoms of mental illness over the course of a month, so many individuals are experiencing difficulties similar to yours.

Acknowledging you have a problem is a major – and admirable – first step. The next one to take is to talk with your supervisor and explain in which specific areas you feel you are not working at your highest level, and why. You may find that what is a perceived concern to you may not be to your supervisor. But even if that is true, it simply means the problem may be currently invisible to others, something that may not remain accurate in the long run. Moreover, it doesn't address your inner distress.

If you feel that with help you can get back on track, suggest to your manager that you be given some reasonable accommodations for your health concerns while at the same time you seek the appropriate assistance. The good news is, solutions do exist.

For example, the effects of the pandemic have spurred a proliferation of tele-mental health resources that make treatment easier to get, and the spread of alternative workplace schedules makes the usual work hours more flexible than ever. To quote a popular proverb, "It gets better." E