Across the UK, many people experience moments when personal pressures and workplace demands collide, affecting both their wellbeing and their ability to stay in work. Through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, Maximus provides confidential, tailored one-to-one support that helps people manage these challenges, enabling them to remain in work or return successfully after a period of absence.
For Natasha, a 32-year-old Clinical Coder, that support arrived at a critical moment. What had become the most difficult year of her life marked a turning point, helping her rebuild confidence, resilience, and a sense of control over her wellbeing and career.
A critical role under constant pressure
Working in a hospital, Natasha translates diagnoses and procedures from medical records into clinical cost codes that ensure services are accurately funded. The role demands sustained concentration, close attention to detail and consistently high accuracy.
Natasha explains: “You have to really be in the zone because you can’t miss anything. The audit process is so stringent that you have to be mentally focused all the time.”
While she enjoyed her role, pressure mounted as significant personal challenges outside of work began to affect her concentration and confidence.
When pressure becomes overwhelming
At first, Natasha remained in denial about her mental health, determined to continue. Over time, however, the strain became impossible to ignore. She began failing audits for the first time, and her confidence deteriorated.
Experiencing strong feelings of impostor syndrome and exhaustion, Natasha was eventually signed off work for around 12 weeks, feeling overwhelmed and unable to see a clear way forward
Reflecting on that period, she explains: “It was a really scary time. I started doubting myself and questioning whether I should even be in the job. Six months ago, I was completely unrecognisable. I didn’t have the energy to carry on.”
Finding the right support at a critical moment
The turning point came through a conversation with her manager, who asked how things were at home. For the first time, she was able to acknowledge the cumulative impact of pressures at home and at work, rather than trying to manage them alone.
Her manager referred her to Occupational Health and introduced her to the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service delivered by Maximus on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. Natasha was reassured that the support was confidential, work focused, and free.
In March 2025, she completed a self-referral through the Maximus website. Within days, she was connected with Mental Health Support Service Coach Cherag .
Personalised support that made a real difference
Natasha began one‑to‑one coaching with Cherag, on a weekly basis. Together, they focused on practical strategies to rebuild resilience and manage emotional responses.
Reflecting on that support, Natasha explains: “We worked a lot on self-confidence and self-belief, that I did have the skills and I was able to do this job.”
Using grounding techniques, breathing exercises and structured resources, Natasha learned how to recognise the early signs of pressure so she could pause and reset before becoming overwhelmed.
Returning to work with renewed confidence
When Natasha returned to work on a phased basis, she felt anxious about logging back on and facing accumulated emails and responsibilities that had built up during her absence. On her first day, she began to feel overwhelmed but knew support was immediately available.
After sending a brief message, Cherag called her straight away. Together, they worked through grounding techniques she had practised during coaching sessions, helping her regain focus and confidence.
Natasha describes: “That immediate support helped me get through the day, it stopped everything from spiralling.”
Building long-term resilience
Today, Natasha continues to feel more in control of her wellbeing. She is better able to recognise when she needs to pause and reset, set boundaries or ask for support, without fear or guilt.
Reflecting on her journey, Natasha concludes: “Now I feel like me again, and I haven’t felt like that for a very long time.”
She credits the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service with helping her return to work, stay well and rebuild confidence in both her professional and personal life.
