Hi Bobby,

I want to affirm what others have said, that teaching is stressful, and has made many a healthy person ill.

I admire your courage for wanting to give it a go, to get back into the 'working world', however teaching does feel like the deep end of the pool to me. I was early retired from teaching because of stress - I had a breakdown.

One thing Bobby, I don't think of being unemployed through illness as being a 'deadbeat', far from it. It's a hard place to be for anyone.

Regarding discrimination against mental illness, I know that here in the UK this kind of discrimination is unlawful but I believe that every employer does it - it's rampant.

So, it's a hard call. If I was younger, and in your position, I would try one of two possible routes. One would be to stay outside of the government system and try to work for myself or a small business where the questions about mental health probably wouldn't be asked.

The other would be to get into some kind of training course, being honest about my illness, and build up some references and credibility, before applying for a job. I might try to turn the illness to advantage and work in a caring role with people who have had illnesses themselves.

Whatever you do, I think taking some 3d advice would help, and then move slow and easy. It's only my own feeling though.

Good luck M