Mental health career break

[MiniChocs]

(I've name changed for this as very outing)

I've recently had a 9 month stay in a psych hospital after a serious suicide attempt. I felt suicidal because my OCD and emetophobia were so bad. I was sectioned and received exposure therapy/CBT treatment while I was there.

Six months before I had a voluntary stay for 4 months for the emetophobia treatment. Six months before that, I was sectioned for suicidal behaviour and in there for 6 months.

So in the last 3 years I've spent 19 months in hospital.

I worked in a job I loved throughout, they've been so supportive but I was getting worse being there (in a school). So, at Christmas I handed in my notice. I was so sad to do so, but as they say, you can't heal in the same place that made you unwell.

ANYWAY! Getting to my point. I feel more stable than I have in a very long time, thanks to the treatment and new meds. I still have wobbly days but mostly doing very well. I have a super supportive spouse who I couldn't ask more from, and a really lovely son who is 11. He's off to secondary in Sep. We've agreed I'm going to take 6 months - year out of work, to really focus on my recovery.

My question is, how can I fill my time? I really struggle to push myself out of the house but I'm doing my best. I'm volunteering one day a week at a food bank. I'm overweight and want to get fit, I'd like to start swimming, but overwhelmed at that.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? I don't want to waste this opportunity, I know how lucky I am.

Sorry you have had such a rough time.

6 months to a year will actually pass really quickly, and the second half or last third you will be planning for what next, so with that in mind allow yourself to focus on what brings you joy for a few months. Try out different (positive) things and see what you enjoy and why. Its always good to try and learn a new skill or get confidence in a new area of knowledge. Small goals. Spend quality time with family.

You sound like you are in a good place, so well done to you.

I think you may benefit from having a routine, so do things like het up at the same time everyday, lunch at the same time etc. If you want to start swimming, find out when your local pool is open go. You could try aqua aerobics first, as this is led by an instructor.
On the days you don't swim, factor in some other physical activity like walking, once a day.

I like trying new skills, so set yourself some challenges eg learn to bake a cake, crochet a blanket etc. I have the library reading app on my tablet and can read hundreds of books and magazines for free.

Thank you both. Setting a clear routine is a really good idea and will help a lot. As will having small goals.

Bumping for the afternoon crowd.

If you don't start swimming yet, maybe an outdoor volunteering role which is physical like gardening (National Trust for e.g.) or join a community garden/veg scheme.

First of all well done on doing so well to get where you are now. You've come a huge distance.
I agree with PPs. Routine is your friend but one that your flexible with and are comfortable that it is OK to cancel things or reshuffle.
Couch to 5k is absolutely brilliant. You can see a difference literally week by week which is very encouraging. All you need to do is set aside 3 sessions a week and put on your headphones and go from your front door. For motivation I did a council run one where you met a group in a park twice weekly and I found it motivated me to go and I made a good network.
Small goals is a great idea. Getting out and having a walk. Walking a wee bit further and having a coffee. Walk with coffee then a friend. Move on to a walking club. So many options.
Locally our GPs can refer for free membership of council gyms and for slimming World (or similar). You might be able to get a taster for a gym/swim sessions or find classes you enjoy.
The world is your oyster. Enjoy

I think volunteering is a great idea. Could you sign up at a gym/leisure centre and aim to swim at set times in the week?
I also think it’s important you don’t try to do too much out of the house, do you have any old hobbies or something new you’d like to try? For example, I crochet. I find it incredibly therapeutic because it is something I need to do consciously but is often repeating patterns so not too labour intensive! I know of someone who does creative writing and poetry appreciation classes via Zoom, I can add the detail if you’re interested? I found the creative writing really enjoyable.

Yes please @ThePontiacBandit

I’m finding it really hard to find volunteer work! I emailed so many organisations and they were either full or didn’t get back to me. And the vaccination centre I’m at closes down next week.

Have you considered parkrun on Saturday mornings? You can walk/jog/run it or you could choose to volunteer. It's a great way to feel part of your local community.

Rest
Do a mindfulness course and develop a meditation practice (developing these kind of brain pathways over time will be a great investment)
Do something that challenges you a little bit regularly (to build on your recovery from OCD and emetophobia - get comfortable with discomfort)

Yes that’s a good idea.
I’m much too overweight and unfit to even consider park run or couch to 25, but I will try and build a walk into my routine every day.

A lot of parkruns have people who walk the whole 5K. If you're worried about being the only walker / slowest finisher, you could check the weekly times for your local one before you go.

Thanks, I don't even think I could walk 5k at the moment but I'll make it my aim on my daily walks then see about park runs.

@MiniChocs

Thanks, I don't even think I could walk 5k at the moment but I'll make it my aim on my daily walks then see about park runs.

You could work up to it. Some of them circle around the same route a couple of times so you can start with one lap. They all welcome volunteers, if you don't mind getting up early on a Saturday morning. And the ones I've seen seem to be friendly and have a sense of community.

Depression support groups are essential as they're the only ones who understand. If there is no group perhaps you could start one (get a church hall to donate a space and get some leaflets distributed- this is quite cheap). Book clubs. Mental health walking groups. Well done on the volunteering. One in four of us have mental health issues, so there must be hundreds out there. You've just got to find them somehow.

Have you tried contacting Homestart for voluntary work - supporting families with young children, in their own home, for up to three hours per week?

Train as a counsellor. You might get funding. You'd be perfect. There are many counsellors but your personal struggles would be a massive bonus. Once you've been there only then can you 'get it', and not many counsellors have. You'd have a psychiatrist to have your back. I always ask for a counsellor with lived experience because I don't trust academic types. Your experience is solid gold...use it to help others.

Ps. Well done. You made it. You're a tough cookie.

I think you are amazing.you should be really proud of what you have done so far and the focus on the future.
I have serious MH issues and think a career break would really help me. It’s a fantastic idea to actually make the recovery stick.
(If I could do it financially I would but I’m a one income household in rented.)

You can volunteer for parkrun without being able to walk anywhere near that distance OP. You can do as little or as much as you like and the people I've met are really positive. If there's one nearby I'd definitely consider it. They're always looking for volunteers