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<blockquote data-quote="Prem51" data-source="post: 1311680" data-attributes="member: 209498"><p>[USER=355355]@Mynameiskez[/USER] Hi Kerry and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so low. I have depression too so understand how it feels. I used to dislike taking antidepressant meds and would stop taking them as soon as I could. But the dp would return again and I would have to start taking them again and endure the bleak dark mental pain again until they took effect. I now think I need to take them continuously. They do keep the dp at bay and I'd rather take meds than go through all that pain again. You should consider staying on them for the present time at least until you sort out your employment situation.</p><p></p><p>I can't give you any concrete advice about benefits as it's over 30 years since I had to claim any. But I believe that if you voluntarily leave employment or are sacked you would be disqualified from claiming benefits for 26 weeks. The welfare system is now geared towards preventing people from getting payments. If you haven't seen it you should try to see Ken Loach's film 'I, Daniel Blake' currently in cinemas which will give you some idea how the benefits (or lack thereof) system works now.</p><p>Even if you do get some sort of payment it can be sanctioned (cut or stopped) for the slightest reason, or in error.</p><p></p><p>I'm now retired, but when I was employed I found that going to work took my mind off my dp, and I felt better than being at home on my own.</p><p></p><p>I can't tell you what you should do, only you know your own circumstances. But I would suggest you try to stay in your current employment. If you are having difficulty coping with your present role perhaps you could talk to your employer about being moved to a less stressful job, or working part-time, less hours or days.</p><p>If it is a large employer and you have been there over two years they should make adjustments to help you deal with your illness. Large employers are more aware of their responsibilities to people with mental health issues, and should help you. And they don't like losing valued employees. If you don't feel comfortable speaking to your line manager you could speak to the HR people if you have a HR department. Also if you are in a trade union you could speak to them as they could advise and support you.</p><p>Going part-time would also give you time to complete your PhD.</p><p></p><p>Leaving your current employment would be a leap into the unknown. You might not get any benefits, and even if you did you would be pressured into finding and taking ANY job, Which would almost certainly be worse than your current one, probably minimum or low wage, on temporary or part-time contract, and/or on a zero hours contract just getting some hours when the employer needs you. </p><p></p><p>I know you currently feel that your problems are huge and insurmountable, but that is part of your illness. The dp will pass, things will get better. It sounds like a platitude, but I've been there and things really do work out in time.</p><p></p><p>The best advice I can give is don't make big life changing decisions when you are in depression. They will probably be the wrong decisions and might make things worse. Be kind to yourself, take life one day at a time, even one hour at a time. Make big decisions when you are in a better place.</p><p>Take care of yourself.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Prem51, post: 1311680, member: 209498"] [USER=355355]@Mynameiskez[/USER] Hi Kerry and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so low. I have depression too so understand how it feels. I used to dislike taking antidepressant meds and would stop taking them as soon as I could. But the dp would return again and I would have to start taking them again and endure the bleak dark mental pain again until they took effect. I now think I need to take them continuously. They do keep the dp at bay and I'd rather take meds than go through all that pain again. You should consider staying on them for the present time at least until you sort out your employment situation. I can't give you any concrete advice about benefits as it's over 30 years since I had to claim any. But I believe that if you voluntarily leave employment or are sacked you would be disqualified from claiming benefits for 26 weeks. The welfare system is now geared towards preventing people from getting payments. If you haven't seen it you should try to see Ken Loach's film 'I, Daniel Blake' currently in cinemas which will give you some idea how the benefits (or lack thereof) system works now. Even if you do get some sort of payment it can be sanctioned (cut or stopped) for the slightest reason, or in error. I'm now retired, but when I was employed I found that going to work took my mind off my dp, and I felt better than being at home on my own. I can't tell you what you should do, only you know your own circumstances. But I would suggest you try to stay in your current employment. If you are having difficulty coping with your present role perhaps you could talk to your employer about being moved to a less stressful job, or working part-time, less hours or days. If it is a large employer and you have been there over two years they should make adjustments to help you deal with your illness. Large employers are more aware of their responsibilities to people with mental health issues, and should help you. And they don't like losing valued employees. If you don't feel comfortable speaking to your line manager you could speak to the HR people if you have a HR department. Also if you are in a trade union you could speak to them as they could advise and support you. Going part-time would also give you time to complete your PhD. Leaving your current employment would be a leap into the unknown. You might not get any benefits, and even if you did you would be pressured into finding and taking ANY job, Which would almost certainly be worse than your current one, probably minimum or low wage, on temporary or part-time contract, and/or on a zero hours contract just getting some hours when the employer needs you. I know you currently feel that your problems are huge and insurmountable, but that is part of your illness. The dp will pass, things will get better. It sounds like a platitude, but I've been there and things really do work out in time. The best advice I can give is don't make big life changing decisions when you are in depression. They will probably be the wrong decisions and might make things worse. Be kind to yourself, take life one day at a time, even one hour at a time. Make big decisions when you are in a better place. Take care of yourself. [/QUOTE]
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