I have been off work for long stretches 3 or 4 times in my life, due to depression and other mental health issues. It is hard to feel good about oneself when not employed. But this last time I kept reminding myself that my 'job' was my therapy and other things designed to help me recover more fully this time so maybe I won't ever get that depressed again. Meanwhile, I was on social assistance for three years.

I have been employed since May of this year, but at things that suit my temperament and my ability to handle stress. I also can't tolerate the politics and fakery and social whatever that many workplaces are full of. But I have found things to do which mean I can work alone or with one other person. Such as house painting, which find very satisfying, but is very physically demanding. But I also do translating and editing work. There are a lot of work from home jobs in areas like that these days.

When it is time to think about work, and that needs to be in your own good time, maybe consider some kind of career counselling where you can be helped to figure out what kind of work suits who you are and what you can handle, and also what you like to do.