How can I return to employment after being off work for 2 yrs due to mental illness?

Question

For the past two years I have suffered from very severe depression, and have not worked for nearly 2 years.

I left my job due to illness. I am feeling better now and would like to return to employment. However I don't know where to start! I am worried about employers will say because of the 'stigma' I don't want to work in my previous career (social care) as I don't think I would able to cope with the stress.
I have no other significant work experience and post 18 qualifications in any other field.
I also only want to work part time (flexible hours) due to my health.

What should I do? Help!


(BTW I'm UK based)

Answer 1

The truth is there is no simple answer to your situation!

I suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and, like you, have problems finding work. The med of choice for OCD is the same as depression, SRIs, and as you know, they cause somnolence (oversleeping.) Plus, we need to take 3 times as much (that's just the way it is.) This means the somnolence is severe. I am a high tech engineer and we have flexible hours so it wasn't much of a problem. Then high tech crashed in North American (I'm canadian) and it hasn't recovered in 6 years! I've been mostly unemployed/under-employed the past 3.5 years. I have had a terrible time finding work with flexible hours! I've finally decided that I can't, therefore, have gone off my medication so I can work fixed hours. But I need work that is low stress so my disorder stays in check (my OCD is moderate, not severe.) Here's the next problem, what jobs are low stress? Not many! I've finally decided on starting my own self-employed business providing in-home computer repair and servicing.

I don't need to tell you how debilitating depression can be. Before you even get to the "stigma", the employer has a genuine concern that you could relapse and be gone at anytime. That eliminates a lot of jobs. You need a compassionate employer, or be self-employed. Plus there is the somnolence side effect of SRI meds (I presume you take one, nearly everyone takes SRI meds for depression.)

The first suggestion I have would be to try to find some kind of work from home type business. Next to that, if you are interviewed for a job, you can inform the HR rep of your condition and it will be kept confidential. I actually told everyone, including the manager, I had OCD because I don't care about the "stigma". I actually found most were compassionate. Some weren't. That's about the best you can hope for and expect.

Best,
-- Liam

Answer 2

Do not tell them that you left work because of a mental illlness. You are right, it will create a stigma, and they will question whether you are prepared to handle the work.

Instead, tell them that you have problems that are personal in nature that you had to take care of. Do you have children? You can say that you took of so that you could better care for them...not exactly a lie, since taking care of yourself would lead to you caring better for them.

The truth is, 2 years is a long time to not be in the employment field. But I guess it depends on where you want to work. What was "social care"? Did you have a degree. If you plan to work retail or in the restaurant industry, the 2 year absence will not be a big deal. But if you want to work higher on the ladder, do not mention that you took 2 years off. That's a long time.

Answer 3

I would suggest you seek part-time employment to begin with and see how it goes. Find a small business or some place that is not going to be too overwhelming for you.

In regards to the reason for not working for 2 years, I would not discuss the matter with the people you work with. It is not their business and you don't want them to make judgements about you because of it. I would just state that you took time off for an illness in the family and to help take care of them if they ask you the question. Don't offer information to someone unless they ask you for it.

Answer 4

I took a year off (yes, mental illness was a part of it and I had been "let go") and when applying for a new jobs I told them I took the time to be with my parents who are very ill (not a lie). I think it also helped that I told the prospective employer that I had prepared in advance finacially for the 11 months of unemployment. Mental illness is none of their business, unless of course you totally lose it while at work...

Answer 5

Try some temporary employment agencies. Also there is a center in my area that help those who have struggle with mental illness re enter the work force.

Dept. of Labor may offer free training for new career track.

Answer 6

Maybe stepping into a low pressure environment that is entry level. You don't have to tell them exactly why you took two years off, tell them you took the time to be with family or something. Just keep your depression to yourself once you get hired.