Looking for work with a mental illness

I can relate to what you've said here @BlueBay. I used to have a successful career in the government until my first ever breakdown. Now I have no job, but am struggling financially mostly because I never put any of my money away for a rainy day. Now I am studying with the aim of completely changing careers. I want more from my life than to just launguish on the DSP.

I want a life to be proud of for me. I want to reach retirement and say to myself "yep, that's a life well lived". I don't think I could do that right now.

If you could work the perfect job, what would it be like? Me, I know I can only work part time at the end of my studies. I am only going to be studying part time too. I know too much stress that would be involved with full time could see me relapse. I so want a better life than what I am currently doing.

Hi @Queenie sorry for the late reply.

The perfect job?? - I still love admin especially typing. Over the years I have moved from administration to pharmacy and back and forth. Atm I’m in pharmacy. Completely different careers.

Pharmacy pay is crap $20 hr. And hasn’t gone up in years. It’s a very low wage fir all the knowledge you need to know eith all the products.

My very first was working fir the government. Then stayed home for 10 yrs to raise 3 kids. (Thst was the most rewarding job ever). Then got a part time admin job in school camp. Left after 2 years Pharmacy after that. Then back to admin. Now pharmacy agsin

I don’t feel thst I am now qualified for admin work. It’s so different. You need to know so much more

It’s just really tough

Sounds like you would've enjoyed one of my past jobs working in government sector @BlueBay. In a past life many many moons ago I was in administration doing medical reporting and transcription. It was something I really enjoyed before office politics got in the way.

Do you think you could do a cert III in office administration? That might help you get up to speed on what you need to know?

I’ve got a certificate iv in admin @QueenieWent back to TAFE a few years ago to update myself. I would like to do a medical receptionist course. But then I’m worried that no one would employ because of my mental health.

Hi @emg_1 Thankyou for your reply.

I like your idea of mental health turn into positive eith a job.

But what kind of jobs do you suggest? I have no idea.

when all my mentsl health as well as ptsd and childhood sexual abuse I had a thought thst I could help others to speak out snd get hrlp. Snd not wait over 30 years like I did.

I would love to talk to children about childhood sexual abuse. But that prob wouldn’t happen. I have no idea where to even begin with this thought.

Hey @emg_1

thanks for the link. I just looked in my area but nothing around.

I feel I don’t have enough confidence or self esteem.

But I will think about this snd could tslk it over with my psychologist and see what she thinks.

Do another course - I don’t even know that I could do thst. .

I did have a grand plan of doing a massage therspy course a few years ago and then I could work from home. Well that course only lasted 3 weeks. I couldn’t concentrate couldn’t remember things and had a really mean teacher. I ended up leaving because I was crying going there and leaving at night to go home. But it was such a good idea. It never eventuated.

I don’t know I’m not very confident or positive.

I will keep looking for work 😊

Hi @emg_1 ive just looked on seek and saw a reception job at a psychs rooms. It’s part time to start with but poss of more hours. It’s only 15 mins from home. No exp needed. They will train.

Now for a possible problem - I used to go to this clinic but changed psychs about 2 years ago. And I have a mental illness.

Would that be a problem? I’m so tempted to apply but the owner psych will know me. He saw me twice when I was in mental health hospital.

@Queenie what do you think?