Need to know

Hi there and Happy New Year to you all!

I have a question and hopefully, someone has a distinct answer. I was speaking with a woman who cleans my elderly cousin's house the other day. She knows about my MDD and my history with my mental illness. She asked, "well do you get a check?" I told her I never have and had never considered it before. But I've heard the stats from the mental health orgs: Depression is the leading cause of disability in the country. Costs the nation billions in lost labor every year, etc etc.

So here's what I want to know; if I did get on disability for a short time, would this mess me up for getting employment in the future. in other words, can employers see that and decide to pass on me for someone who has not been disabled. My lack of gainful employment is what's causing the majority of my problems over the past 4 years. So I need to know from someone who has lived it. Has anyone been on disability and then successfully gotten back into the professional, white-collar world?

Thanks

I'm sorry I don't have a distinct answer but I don't think employers can see if you were on disability it seems like that would be a private matter that they have no right to know about.

If you feel temporary disability is right for you, than you should try and get it. When you are out of work if your up for it, try to volunteer for an organization that you support, that's a great response for gaps in employment.

The scariest for me, when I decided to leave my job, was how will I explain myself when/if I can get back out there?!?

I was on Medicaid and out of work for a little over a year while going to therapy which my therapist recommended temporary disability for me but I luckily had financial support from my family and boyfriend so I choose not to apply. I went back to work 11 months ago and put self growth and volunteering for my response to gap in employment and wasn't questioned.

Thats a good answer and thanks so much. I'm a little paranoid about anything that has to do with the job search. Getting gainful employment has been the entire reason for my existence the past 4 years. I've moved states twice because of this reason. I still don't have a decent job. Im not concerned about my gaps, I have some volunteer work Im doing now anyway. However, the only person supporting me, is me. So I need to consider these things carefully.

I left news writing in 2012/2013. I'm looking for prof. writing opps in non profit or corporate communications.

May I ask what field you went back into Ms. Thunder Goddess?

I don't believe a future employer would have to know unless you told them.

The question of my 'blank of time' in my resume did come up at an interview for a volunteer position. I acknowledged that yes I was out of work for a period of time and said only that I had dealt with a health issue which would have no impact on my ability to perform the volunteer duties. They are not allowed by law to ask what such a condition would be. I enjoy my new position and one day hope to graduate to a more regular position of employment.

I see, so is the reason you are having trouble finding employment because of mental illness or because of lack of opportunities or both?

I left the customer service industry in 2014, then got rehired as a customer service rep in 2016 at an animal shelter with the purpose of eventually moving to a different department because my goal was to fully leave customer service and work in animal welfare. I achieved that goal and have recently made another goal to become a cruelty officer for spca someday which I intend to achieve.

Without that year off in therapy and working on myself I'd never have made it to where I am now which is why I recommend if you are having mental health issues you nurture and care for them and don't deprive yourself of what you need because you can do amazing things by getting help.