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[Sambo1]

After suffering mental health for a few years now and wanting to working in a field where I can relate to people and help them, I am seriously considering a career in Mental Health, however would it be hypocritical of me to choose such a job if I still suffering some mental health problems and haven't fully recovered, like in the same way it wouldn't be right me volunteering for 'Samaritans' if I was contemplating serious self harm?

Also would suffering anxiety and depression for a number of years make me exempt from being eligible to apply for in MH or would it mean I wouldn't even be considered for such a job.

I have been been on a number of medications, and had some courses of psychotherapy, in which I opened up to therapist and told them everything personal in my life and mind, and I can't help but feel if I did gain employment in the field, I wouldn't be respected or deemed eligible because I have always struggled in therapy and they know what a hard time I have in life.

[ATucker]

Frankly, I thought it was a prerequisite!

I have an ex-girlfriend that had rather severe anorexia, and she is now a Pdoc.
I have an alcoholic sister that is now a substance abuse counselor.
And I have a good friend from college that had debilitating anxiety (social) and is now a psychologist.

I think there is something that is in our blood... We understand the suffering, and we want to help others get through theirs. We understand it better. I think?

[LibraryLady]

Hi Sambo1,

I have always said that only someone with depression can really understand what a depressed person is going through. I really commend you for wanting to go into the Mental Health field. You will have a very special perspective that I think will help your patients. Don't let the fact that you suffer from mental illness keep you from doing what you want!

Best of luck!

[Sambo1]

Frankly, I thought it was a prerequisite!

I have an ex-girlfriend that had rather severe anorexia, and she is now a Pdoc.
I have an alcoholic sister that is now a substance abuse counselor.
And I have a good friend from college that had debilitating anxiety (social) and is now a psychologist.

I think there is something that is in our blood... We understand the suffering, and we want to help others get through theirs. We understand it better. I think?

Thanks this is quite helpful and uplifting to hear, especially your friend with Anxiety as I have this same problem.

I am just unsure if I believe I could ever help someone with Anxiety and tell them techniques and guidelines that are supposed to work, when in fact I suffer similar things but have never managed to overcome my anxiety issues.

[Sambo1]

Hi Sambo1,

I have always said that only someone with depression can really understand what a depressed person is going through. I really commend you for wanting to go into the Mental Health field. You will have a very special perspective that I think will help your patients. Don't let the fact that you suffer from mental illness keep you from doing what you want!

Best of luck!

Thank you, again your reply is very kind and helpful, but I wouldn't ever believe I could become a mental health worker whilst I am suffering, I also don't believe I deserve to be put into a position where I am allowed to help people with Mental Health issues, I think I first need to get past some barriers, however I am supposed to do???

[Lisa15]

I also am someone who suffers from anxiety and depression who nevertheless is drawn to help people with their mental health. In my future role as a pastor, I hope to obtain additional training to better provide pastoral care for those who are suffering mental illness. Two books come to mind that I've found helpful: "Wounded Healer," by theologian Henri Nouwen, and "Crazy" by psychologist Dr. Rob Dobrenski. Both take extremely different approaches (one theological, the other very practical but peppered with profanities, so if that offends you, you might want to give it a pass) to the same thing: They both say that having suffered doesn't disqualify someone from offering help. Nouwen says that having suffered can make the sufferer uniquely qualified to reach out to others in similar situations. Dobrenski says that we're all "crazy," by which he means that we are all human beings with mixed up lives, including himself.