Hello, thiswreckage, and welcome to Psych Central! I wish I knew a job placement service anywhere for folks with mental illness.

I am bipolar and have been on SSI for a number of years. I had to quit teaching because it was too stressful--and I was having problems with my memory. I don't recall being out of work for seven years before getting it, though. But as I say, my memory isn't so great. I suggest you call your local Social Security Office to find out the details.

I am wondering if anybody out there in Psych Central land has bipolar and still works. What kind of job do you have? How do you manage? I think the answer to these questions might be helpful to you and to other people with mental disabilities.

I hope something will come up soon for you. I am thinking that folks might be able to do some kind of job working from their homes, but I don't know what all the options might be.