Summary
Work can include a paid job, volunteering, or going to school.
Work can be a big part of recovery. Work doesn’t mean going to a 9:00 - 5:00 job every day. If working full time is scary, don't let it stop you from working. Work can be any activity that a person does. It is something that is important to the community. Of course, work can be a paid job. But, it can also be volunteering, raising children, homemaking, or going to school. All of these activities have value, even if you don’t get paid.
Some members are anxious about going back to work because they think job stress might cause a relapse. Others think they can’t work because they still have symptoms, such as hearing voices, or being depressed. Still others have been out of work for so long that they don’t think they can handle a job.
In spite of the challenges, work can have a good effect on recovery. Recovery doesn’t mean that a person no longer has symptoms. Recovery has a much more complex definition than that. Members who are successful have described recovery as:
- Having hope for the future
- Having a reason to get up in the morning
- Being able to make and keep friends
- Doing something worthwhile
- Being sure about their ability to handle stress
- Believing that there is a link between personal effort and success
- Being able to make choices
Work can help your recovery in all of these areas. It gives you a chance to make friends, helps you set goals, and if you get paid, gives you more choices in your life.
Summary
Work can include a paid job, volunteering, or going to school.
Work can be a big part of recovery. Work doesn’t mean going to a 9:00 - 5:00 job every day. If working full time is scary, don't let it stop you from working. Work can be any activity that a person does. It is something that is important to the community. Of course, work can be a paid job. But, it can also be volunteering, raising children, homemaking, or going to school. All of these activities have value, even if you don’t get paid.
Some members are anxious about going back to work because they think job stress might cause a relapse. Others think they can’t work because they still have symptoms, such as hearing voices, or being depressed. Still others have been out of work for so long that they don’t think they can handle a job.
In spite of the challenges, work can have a good effect on recovery. Recovery doesn’t mean that a person no longer has symptoms. Recovery has a much more complex definition than that. Members who are successful have described recovery as:
- Having hope for the future
- Having a reason to get up in the morning
- Being able to make and keep friends
- Doing something worthwhile
- Being sure about their ability to handle stress
- Believing that there is a link between personal effort and success
- Being able to make choices
Work can help your recovery in all of these areas. It gives you a chance to make friends, helps you set goals, and if you get paid, gives you more choices in your life.
Summary
Work can include a paid job, volunteering, or going to school.
Work can be a big part of recovery. Work doesn’t mean going to a 9:00 - 5:00 job every day. If working full time is scary, don't let it stop you from working. Work can be any activity that a person does. It is something that is important to the community. Of course, work can be a paid job. But, it can also be volunteering, raising children, homemaking, or going to school. All of these activities have value, even if you don’t get paid.
Some members are anxious about going back to work because they think job stress might cause a relapse. Others think they can’t work because they still have symptoms, such as hearing voices, or being depressed. Still others have been out of work for so long that they don’t think they can handle a job.
In spite of the challenges, work can have a good effect on recovery. Recovery doesn’t mean that a person no longer has symptoms. Recovery has a much more complex definition than that. Members who are successful have described recovery as:
- Having hope for the future
- Having a reason to get up in the morning
- Being able to make and keep friends
- Doing something worthwhile
- Being sure about their ability to handle stress
- Believing that there is a link between personal effort and success
- Being able to make choices
Work can help your recovery in all of these areas. It gives you a chance to make friends, helps you set goals, and if you get paid, gives you more choices in your life.