Mental Illness in the Trades

So... in my recent quest to better understand my disorder, myself, and how the two of them interact, I've had a nagging thought where I wonder how many people that work in skilled trade professions suffer from, and are open about having bipolar disorder. It's always difficult to come to terms with and to discuss mental health, but I feel like in the trades, it's even worse.

I'm an electrician by trade, and I've never dared confess my deep, dark secret to anyone I work with (even those that I know well). This seemed like a good place to open up a bit about this, and to see if there is anyone in a similar situation. It seems that trades people are predominantly men, and I'm sure that has much to do with it.

I would really like to connect with more people that are in a similar situation, and see how they deal/cope with this. I feel like I spend so much of my day trying to mask my feelings, thoughts, and emotions, that by the time I get home at night I'm completely exhausted. This has been a tough choice to decide to go out on a limb here, but I'm hoping it'll pay off with being able to connect with others that have similar struggles.

I’m a dsp and my boss knows because she knew I used to be a peer support specialist too.

I've given up HVAC for better work, but I was in it for 12 years or so, but the last year was the only one I spent working while knowing my diagnosis so I'm sorry I don't have much experience to pull from. I do know that being a Male in a Male dominated industry it's really easy to get **** on for having emotions or feelings or "weakness" and on that i can understand your struggle. I currently work in manufacturing, with an all dude staff, and we've made it a point to make mental health important as a company so i am in a better place now.

Sorry i have no advice, just letting you know I understand a bit of what you're dealing with.