I want to teach at a vocational school, but I'm a little worried that I wont be able to since I had a breakdown several years ago and had to be hospitalized overnight. It wasn't that serious, I just ended up cutting myself and not very seriously. I was on medication for a few months before my doctors and I were able to figure out what was causing the depression. It has been solved now for several years, I'm just worried that my medical history will come up when I apply for work. Does anyone know anything about mental history as part of working with minors?
2006-11-02 06:24:14 · 6 answers · asked by squish_52 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Thank you all for your answers they are really helping me :) I think that I will continue with my goal of Vocational education :)
2006-11-02 06:35:56 · update #1
Mental health is protected just like other illnesses - they cannot discrimminate against you in employment because of any hospitalization UNLESS the issue/disability would affect your current employment. I would think if that were the decision they'd have to be able to back that up some kind of way.
When I became a teacher I did have to fill out medical forms including my medical history and have a physical. If you need to fill out such a form perhaps you could take it to your doctor and have him/her assist you in that.
2006-11-03 10:48:22 · answer #1 · answered by donnamariemoon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although your medical records are protected information, the application or interview may have questions about medical conditions. If there is a question relating to mental health and it asks if you've ever had mental problems, you can say you had a resolved situational depression that took place in 19__. I don't know if this sort of thing is brought up with teaching positions but even if it is, the fact that it happened several years ago and that you resolved it works in your favor. I believe schools are more concerned about criminal backgrounds than mental.
I've never been asked a mental health question and I work with people's lives -- somewhat more serious than working with minors. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I hope you get the position.
2006-11-02 06:43:36 · answer #2 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you broke your arm you would go to the hospital and get it fixed. If there is depression then this is an illness; something that needs treatment. You did what you needed to do. It is the people who do not get treatment that the public needs to be worried about! Seriously!
Many teachers take medications and may have been hospitalized for depression. The school just wants you to be healthy. They will not ask you about mental illnesses, but if someone were to find out just remind them that they would seek treatment for some maladie; and that is what you did. That makes you a STRONG person!
Goodluck!
2006-11-02 08:03:36 · answer #3 · answered by Melanie L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really shouldn't have any problem getting a teaching job. Mental illness is more common than you think and I seriously doubt they are going to search into your medical history. Just don't try getting a job with the CIA or anything and you should be fine.
2006-11-02 06:29:15 · answer #4 · answered by xatnes 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well there not supposed to discriminate so you should be able to cutting yourself has nothing to do with vocational school and it seems like you changed your life and turned around but I do know that it will show up on your background check and depending on how long ago it has been it shouldnt matter at all
2006-11-02 06:34:11 · answer #5 · answered by J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, medical history is private. There is a law called HIPPA that says no information can be released to anyone without your consent. Unless you tell, no one has to know, hon.
2006-11-02 06:33:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋