Schizophrenia Support Group

Hi Paulhera,
I'm sorry to hear you are being treated badly at all your jobs. I don't know what type of mental illness you are coping with, but if you are being harrassed because of your disability,

I'm presuming the harassment is related to your disability. I would think something could be done to correct the problem . There is the American Disability Act.

My advice is to go get legal advice from an Disability Advocate and see what they can do to help you with this problem.

Good luck to you and hope things do get better for you in the work place.

Lori (Dana's mom)

I've never told any of my employers that I had a disability. They would not have known about it. Someone once told me that a job is 20% work and 80% getting along with other people and it's always the 80% that always trips me up. I tend to be quite when I first start a job because I am always weary of saying something wrong or of making a fool of myself. I think that this silence is mistaken as a weakness by my co-workers and then the harrassment starts.

I suppose I could try to take legal action the next time something happens but that does cost money which I do not have. And I don't know if telling my employer that I have a disability is the right thing to do either. Most employers don't know how to handle people with mental illnesses.

But thanks for the encouragement though. It does help.

Hi again,

I can see how it would be difficult telling your employer about your disability and fear of how they may react to your mental illness, but that seems like the only way to resolve the problem.

Maybe you could provide the supervisor with some *reading material* on your mental illness, so that he/she can develop a better understanding of your mental illness and be more understanding of your situation.

I don't know if this is what your concerned about that you might be let go because of your mental illness, but hopefully you do know you can't be fired for having a mental illness, that would be discrimination.

And there are advocates that don't cost money that will help you with your situation, just have to check around your local area. Again, I wish you well.

Lori ( Dana's Mom)

I have had many jobs too and just can't seem to keep one for a year or less. I found that thru lots of therapy that stress brings on my symptoms. even tho I'm not working now, my symptoms still pop up and I have to self-talk my way out of them. I finally gave up on the job thing and work for myself now, doing arts and crafts which I plan on selling at an art show coming up at my day treatment. Good luck to you. Hope this helps.

Hello Hidi5,

Day treatment sounds like something that I can benefit from. What is it excatly?

Paul