Discussions

After some unfortunate circumstances I am unemployed with no job lined up for the first time ever.  
 
I have a disability and I have been having issues related to it that significantly effect my personal and work life. I have been on sick leave for over one month at a time twice over the past two years and have experienced my condition worsening over the past few years.  
After talking to my mental health worker about options we agreed that applying for government assistance would be in my best interest. At least for the short term and until I've reached stability.  
 
I have never been on welfare before and I have been feeling very anxious... Do any other disabled people who are currently or have previously been on disability have any advice? Particularly, people with developmental or mood disorders?  
 
I have had bad experiences getting coverage through work. I even once had somebody tell me that I maybe shouldn't be around children (my own siblings) with my condition... I don't want to go through that again.

If going on assistance helps you by taking the pressure off financially and time-wise, then that’s great. I don’t ant to be a nay-sayer, but budget carefully because if you don’t get much assistance, it could end up being a bigger stressor than before.  
Good luck.

I highly recommend budgeting. If you have a computer or smartphone go to every dollar.com and download the app. Most people think budgeting restricts you, but it actually shows you how much freedom you have in your spending. There are also resources in the community to help with food like Samaritan House down by the bus stop. Go there and they have staff inside ready to help you get set up for a bi weekly hamper of food. It is an excellent resource.  
It is easy to fall into depression with no job to go to. I have been there and the best advice I can give is to have a written plan, have a family/friends support network, do your best to maintain physical health, talk to your mental health worker regularly and don't forget to dream.  
1. A written plan for your daily life with healthy Options. For example, a. Get up at a regular time, oversleeping leads to depression. B. Always eat breakfast low blood sugar can lead you to a depressive state. C. Drink x number glasses of water per day. Might seem like a no brainer, but when you get depressed it can cause you to stay away from the basics like drinking enough water, which leads to further depression. D. Go for a walk. If you can go for a walk outside. If it's too cold go to the mall or keystone center for a walk. Walking fights depression and gets the brain and body active. When we don't have a job to go to we need to combat depression by keeping active. E. Make some plans for the afternoon. 7th street access can help with looking for work, if you are not mentally ready for work, maybe coffee at a friends house. Remember it's easy to vent to friends, but you don't want them to become your counselor. Be a good listener too. If you can't go for coffee, maybe consider volunteering somewhere. It will give you a sense of accomplishment that we all need as human beings. You might also consider an online chat room or support group online or in the community. When we have groups to meet with or appointment to go to, we feel a sense of purpose. Next I recommend dreaming and writing down your dreams. You don't need to figure out how to accomplish your dreams yet, but get them on paper. Imagine your dream job, dream house, family, travel plans etc. We were born to work, dream, and enjoy life. Remember TV is not your friend right now. It will drag you further into depression unless you have other plans for your day. When we avoid tv it forces us to create a life worth living. I could go on and on. I have been where you have been. I let tv drag me into further depression and it made a mess. But I got a good doctor, found some good meds and got into a good routine. Having things to do written on paper helps when you are feeling blue. Getting all these things in your life will encourage you to live well no matter what your situation. My life actually got better. I am still on meds, I eventually found work, got married and now I am in school working on my social work degree. Never thought I would end up here, but I dreamed and continued to live well even when I was down and out and poor. Don't let depression take over your life. You take control of your life and your future.