We don't get to know the future and the comfort zone is as personal as an analysis gets, but inside my personal herstory, letting my mental illness be an open fact has helped me allot more than it has hurt me. I don't advertise it, but I don't waste resources on keeping it a secret, either.

The advocate programs I have brushed up against looked impressive in passing. Never seen 'em up close and personal, but I love the idea.

I think it is a brave, good thing to do. I think we all need to consider our 'struggle' as a badge of courage. I think it's really important to honor it rather than other. Good for you for doing such good work!!!

being an advocate can only be a good and worthy thing to be so long as you're comfortable with it. it can be difficult to come face to face with the preconceived notions some people have. will you be ok with that. is there a good support system in place? do your family and friends already know about your illness or is this something you now have to disclose and are you ready for that too? big decisions but such a wonderful thing to do. good luck with it and hugs. just do the next right thing for you.

also, practice video interview on skype with husband or friend as it can be quite daunting! more hugs.

I think it's a good idea Ritkat and possibly something you can build on later...putting a human face on a mental illness is a good thing. The face of business is changing it seems folks are better equipped to be "out" as far as being gay or transgendered. You will find folks in wheelchairs within major corporations. Maybe life is handing you an opportunity to be your authentic self....However if you had hopes of returning to the world of work in another arena...are you afraid this would reflect badly?

I think it's a great idea!!!... I was an advocate for a while in a volunteer position and I got a great deal out of it..... I hope it works out well please let us know sweetie.....xo

I 'came out' several years ago and I'm glad I did..even posted on my fb page...There are so many different levels of the bp illness and my desire was to have professionals and typical people know 'ya I look normal, but underneath' I've been psychotic. Also one of the things we all struggle with any one with mental health challenges is 'we look ok' therefore we 'must be ok', we put on 'the happy face' to avoid the 'sad face questions' we've no energy and don't want to explain for the 5ooth time....It's a wonderful experience, go slow, at your own comfort level...you'll be doing your best and no one can fault you doing that...best of luck Rit! Thank you too for your journal post :)

It's a choice you have to consider and decide whether you'll be okay with it or not. Once its done, it's done. My Ph.D. was in Clinical Psychology and for the longest time when I worked with Patients before my RA, Kidney Disease and Osteoarthritis got too bad to do that work anymore, it was known that I had BiPolar. I was never embarrassed by it. I had never "not" told my children or kept it from them, I never believed in it being some awful secret to be kept from society. My patients appreciated the fact that I had the same Disease that I helped them with, because I understand what they were talking about, I wasn't just someone nodding my head and looking sympathetic.

Even though I can't do that for a living anymore I still Volunteer with Teens who Self-Injure and Young Adults newly diagnosed BiPolar and I make sure they all know that I'm BiPolar and have a history of Self Injury. I don't need to be perfect to help others, and if anyone in my personal life or Social Circle have an issue with it, then I don't need them in my life. Perfect is not something I subscribe to or ever raised my children to subscribe to or expect from others. Compassion is what I expect my children of offer to others regardless of their differences...and the non-perfect people of the world are always way more interesting.

Embrace your true self, when your son is old enough, teach him that people are different and everyone deserves respect, compassion and kindness. If this position is what you want, I hope you get it!!

KAT

Living according to your own values is really important rk. Working out what fits from that perspective will give you a good overview maybe. Good luck.

RitKat I think it will be a very positive and healing thing for you to help others and you will be greatly benefited too. I agree with OlderC if anyone has anything negative to say you don't need them in your life anyways. I think it is a fantastic idea. Good Luck!!

Thanks everyone! I am keeping the interview. I feel like it's something empowering and that will be beneficial to my boys, too. I think it will make them proud to see mama to do something like this even if it's not until they are older and they understand.

My in-laws, especially my mother-in-law, seems to think having bipolar disorder is embarrassing and makes someone unemployable. She's in HR mind you. I would think it's discrimination to deny employment due to a disability, but I am sure there are ways around that one. Her and my father-in-law are set in their ways.

Go for it!!! It's empowering, and fighting the good fight. I started telling my story for police training for Crisis Intervention Training and while thoroughly nerve wracking, it's IMPORTANT! I can't dedicate time to it right now but hope to again down the road. ((((Hugs)))). You can do this!!!!

I'm going to go for it! I'm keeping the interview next Wednesday evening and I'm going to do some prep work for that.

I think it’s a very courageous move. You have a mental illness which makes the job personal to you so I think it could be a great opportunity

Well, talking about it is different than people talking about it on blogs and posing whatever. That kind of sounds like a non-professional position. Professional positions wouldn't involve your personal life... I guess I'm just confused lol.