Depression and returning to work.

Mental health
1

I think the title says it all. I was out of work for depression for over 2 years and over the last 6 months

I signed myself out of ESA and went back into the works pool. My old career was a major part of the reason I first went into my depression and as a result, I drew a line under that, turning my back on 8 years of being quite successful but it was a career that destroyed me every day. So, I went back to school.

Managed to get myself two betec qualifications and an industry specific license. All good, right? So, I applied for jobs. 6 months after throwing my CV at almost anything I can physically get to, Im still unemployed. And now I am at the stage where I am convinced I will never work again because of my depression.

Conversations with recruitment agencies always change in tone after I mention my reasons for not working recently. Obviously, they don't want to hear that and a pattern has begun to establish itself. Who are they gonna hire? The guy with no break in work and no history of mental illness, or, me?

Ever since that has hit me I have begun sliding back into depression, having dark thoughts and despair. and I am due to see my GP about that next week but my major reason for typing this is to ask the community;

Has anyone else been through something similar trying to find work after time off?

If so, any advice?

Are there any agencies that specialise in finding work for people with similar circumstances as my own?

Any advice would be greatly received.

Regards.

2

Just leave out the depression part sayi were out for personal reasons only.  

3

I agree with Mtm, but say you wanted to spend time going back to school to find a more fulfilling career.  Talk about the course work you chose to study, and how you want to use your new skills/knowledge.  This is all true.  Put the depression issue behind you where it belongs.  Don't drag it into your new beginnings. You will find a new position.  Keep interviewing, and it will happen.

4

I can identify with such a lot here, I had breaks in employment due to nervous break downs, and despite having another gap due to raising my child with no family support it's made no difference to them. I've been continuously posting job applications and the exhaustion of it caused me to be in hospital, surely a respectable middle aged woman who was a tax payer years ago should be taken notice of. I have lots of skills and experience in not only thet job I did but the responsibility of raising my child and running the home etc. I desperately want to be earning and the only advice I had was voluntary work to learn skills. I'm too exhausted at my age to jump through hoops and find it very degrading to given the attitude of one size fits all. i think there are the odd agencies that might help but not all

5

I found out about one agency but have been so ill can't try it yet, are you in England

6

Yes. Manchester specifically.

7

It's called Meridian hope it helps