Would would you do? Need advice (job application related)

[Chinabutterfly]

I’ve name changed for this.

I’m filling in an application form for a job, my last job ended in February 2020, I left due to mental health issues/post natal depression. The job previous to that I also left for mental health reasons due to a traumatic experience I went through. So it doesn’t look great.
On the application form it’s asking for reasons I left these jobs. I’m worried that if I’m honest, I just won’t even be considered, but obviously they’ll need to contact my last employer for a reference so they’ll find out either way.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Put person reasons. If you get an interview you can explain
I don't think it's fair on them or you to not tell them anything
I hope you are in a better place now, it's shit isn't it

I'd put raising a family for the one you left most recently and find something about praying other opportunities to say about the other.

You shouldn't have to, but I do think avoiding any mention of MH difficulties gives you the best chance.

Praying? Persuing.

Could you put something like 'Temporary medical issues (now resolved)'

I'd give more generic reasons for leaving the jobs. The most recent one you could say "to raise my young family" and the one before you could just say "to focus on persuing new opportunities". I'd expect them to be looking, albeit discretely, to understand why you now want to come back and leave young family at home but that's easy enough to explain... Your baby is older and you have trusted childcare sorted now..

Keep it light and positive sounding.

The reference shouldn't say why you left so tell them whatever you want. A break for caring responsibilities might be good - you were caring for yourself.

Although please spell ‘pursuing’ properly. Did you resign due to medical problems as your previous employers will probably say in a reference that you be resigned and not the reason why.

If it reassures you, a lot references these days don’t say anything other than dates of service and the position held. In fact, I know of a couple employers who don’t even bother getting them for lower level positions because it’s not worth the admin.

Just say something really generic like ‘resigned’, if they ask for more detail I’d probably be tempted to just say something vague like ‘resigned for personal reasons’ or ‘resigned because I was ready to do something different’.