Just need a break....

I feel mentally unstable. I'm depressed all the time, or irritable. I am at a job where this just doesn't work at all. We do not get sick time off, we have to use our vacation time. Which I don't have much of and what I do have I have to save to go pick up my kids in a couple weeks. (A whole other issue).

So I just feel I need some time... a month... a couple weeks even... to get myself together. I would love to go somewhere inpatient. (which says something since I swore to myself I would never do that again.. did it at 14 and I'm now 32). But I just need to get away. Even if it's a cabin somewhere!!

Here's the problem- how do you afford it? How can I pay bills and not be working? Am I doomed to just deal with it because I need to work? I know FMLA does not pay for anything it just gives you time off. Are there other resources out there? And what would be the requirments? i can't imagine I could just say "I feel like I'm going insane" and get money for bills to take time off from someone. I understand health insurance and paying for treatment and all that (although I've been told my health insurance sucks when it comes to mental health)... but what about the rest of lifes expenses?? Any ideas?

Do you have any sort of short term disability insurance? They don't always pay for mental health illnesses, but there are some that do. At this point, it would need to be something that you already have in place, though. Does your company offer the ability for employees to donate paid time off to other employees who become ill? This may be a stretch, but would your company advance you some leave time for illness, which you would then repay back through your regular accrual rate? (The Federal govt will allow this for long term sick time off for employees.)

Some of your creditors/utilities/etc may be willing to work with you if you let them know what's going on. Can family help at all?

It may be time to ask yourself some difficult questions. Will there be anything left of you in two weeks when it's time to get your kids? Or are there other arrangements that can be made around the time with your kids so that you can take care of yourself right now? Do you feel safe?

It doesn't sound like you're quite at this point yet, but I had to leave work last summer and go back on Social Security disability. I worked in the medical field and it was basically a job where you didn't call in sick unless you were dead. Well, I finally had to decide to call in sick (permanently) before I wound up dead.

What would you do if you suddenly broke your leg or had a bad fall? Your mental health is no less important, yet we're told to just suck it up and deal with it. Unfortunately, that's not always possible.

Consider taking some of the time you were saving for your kids now, so that you can be with them later. to you.