Hi Ulysses,
I saw it mentioned somewhere that a working with children check is free if required in a volunteer role. Not sure if that is accurate but it might be worth asking at the post office for them to clarify.
I feel for you in this situation. I quit my gov job of 7 years and although I am happier and don't regret it my confidence in my ability to cope is gone. The advice so far is solid. If you don't apply you'll never know.
What helped me was taking it as an opportunity to look at what I want to do. Work is important to our mental wellbeing so why would I waste my time in another job that makes me feel crap?
I was blunt in my applications. Disclosed my MI. Discussed it and my management openly and without apology. This is me. I have problems but I manage them. I have a lot to offer. I have skills you can use. I can benefit you. But I will not apologise for having a mental illness. So if you can't deal with that I'm not interested. Obviously not worded so aggressively in the applications.
Hubby called it self sabotage and was angry at me. And yesterday I had an interview at a school. The first job I applied for. They were wonderful. Because I talked she told me about her husband's suicidal thoughts, another staff member who is dealing with grief... Basically accepted that we are human. And that MI needs to be managed in the workplace because it is no different than a physical illness.
I have a job. Yes it is a big change from my old role. But I am happy. And hopeful. Hubby was stunned. He expected the worst of people. I demanded the best.
I share this with you because there is hope. The more we demand to be treated properly the more things change. The more we talk about MI as a health issue and own it as a medical condition we manage the more people respect that we are in control. This means thinking about ways to manage your anxiety. Finding jobs that will minimise your triggers. Being proactive in caring for yourself. Learning and understanding why you are the way you are and finding warning signs and acting on them.
If you look around the forums you'll see I am not in a good place now. This is not me talking on my high horse "oh I'm better you should do this...". This is me feeling like dirt. At bottom. Not caring/ a bit numb but choosing to live however I can.
You've got this butterfly (love your name by the way). If you go to your log in page there is an option to change your pic if you want some colour 😊.
Nat
