In a society that defines people on their careers, people with mental illness (who may be unable to work) are often made to feel worthless simply for not having a job.
Of the top ten leading causes of disability in the world, four are mental illnesses. Bipolar disorder alone is the sixth leading cause of disability. This doesn’t surprise me, as it’s disabled me on more than one, two…twelve, I’ve stopped counting, occasions. I expect if you’re reading this blog you know all too well what I’m talking about.
There have been weeks when I couldn’t sit still for more than five minutes at a time and months when it’s taken me hours just to get out of bed and brush my teeth. As if this weren’t bad enough, here in North America at least, we live in a society that defines people by what they do for a living–that is, how they make or don’t make money.
As a result, a great many people are made to feel unworthy. It’s inevitable when worth is measured in dollars, as it so often is in our culture.
Thus, in a society such as ours, where one’s identity is so wrapped up in what she or he does to make a living, people with mental illness (who may very well be disabled and unable to work during certain periods of their lives) are often made to feel worthless simply for not having a job. So today I’d like to send a message to those of you out there who are struggling and may not have been able to work for some time on account of a mental illness: You are not worthless. Some–and I would argue most–of the greatest contributions to humanity have been made by those who weren’t getting paid to make them, people who refused to let their day jobs define them or who simply couldn’t hold down such a job.
Whether you have a mental illness or not, when you define yourself by what you do to pay the bills, you drastically limit your potential as a human being. So next time you’re at a cocktail party or a cookout or a concert, try asking people what they love instead of what they do. Chances are you’ll get a much more interesting answer.
Grateful as I am for SSD, it is very awkward during a discussion. I get funny looks when I say I don’t work, my kids are teenagers. Sometimes I don’t have a filter and over tell my story. I used to be an RN and worked in dialysis.
I am there now…..disclosed to my last employer of longest working history ever. 6years. I had to go just too physically demanding for my exhausted pain ridden body…..this new job was to be the one and only. Keep losing my emotions and now fear the job……
Support group in the works, want to write and share my stories, always writing but no flow….my husband and grown children say ma, stop working below capability jobs and letting people dictate your worth. If God truly is your source than just do it…..years and years of journals. Where to begin to become an inspirational speaker and author?..
I am driven by the need to get back to work. It’s so much more than my self esteem, it’s the survival of my family. Over 7 months out of work because of this illness and denied SSD. My savings are running out and two children to support on my own. Finally feeling stable but helpless in the face of getting back into workforce.
i think that’s all fine and well but how do people learn to cope at work Im constantly being made to feel not good enough by my employers because I need extra help at work. Yet I prefer not to disclose my illness for fear of stigma and lost chance at career advancement.
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Grateful as I am for SSD, it is very awkward during a discussion. I get funny looks when I say I don’t work, my kids are teenagers. Sometimes I don’t have a filter and over tell my story. I used to be an RN and worked in dialysis.
I am there now…..disclosed to my last employer of longest working history ever. 6years. I had to go just too physically demanding for my exhausted pain ridden body…..this new job was to be the one and only. Keep losing my emotions and now fear the job……
Support group in the works, want to write and share my stories, always writing but no flow….my husband and grown children say ma, stop working below capability jobs and letting people dictate your worth. If God truly is your source than just do it…..years and years of journals. Where to begin to become an inspirational speaker and author?..
I am driven by the need to get back to work. It’s so much more than my self esteem, it’s the survival of my family. Over 7 months out of work because of this illness and denied SSD. My savings are running out and two children to support on my own. Finally feeling stable but helpless in the face of getting back into workforce.
Thank you. Its good to know its not just me.
i think that’s all fine and well but how do people learn to cope at work Im constantly being made to feel not good enough by my employers because I need extra help at work. Yet I prefer not to disclose my illness for fear of stigma and lost chance at career advancement.