Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

24,601 Members

160,807 Posts

4 Online

psyko 08/30/2016

Hey, I haven't been on here in a LONG time and I actually like the new set up. I want to share my story about losing my job due to discrimination towards my mental illness

Just wondering if anyone could relate

Long story short I tried to explain to them that I was suffering from depression and experimenting with some new meds, and didn't find the right combo yet. You guys probably know that it takes time and can make symptoms worse sometimes like: mood swings, unable to control emotions, etc.

they didn't want to hear any of my "excuses" and decided to ban me from the facility and property and threatened to call the cops on me if they did.

PS: It's a "Christian" association which i thought they would be understanding and take in consideration on my illness, but no. Not to mention my boss started to spread lies saying I was stalking her cuz I showed up at her other job and a restaurant. A) my dad was friends with the home owner where she was working and I asked permission if I could say Hi B) I was at the restaurant before she showed up.

If I could I would hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit against discrimination toward people with mental illness...or maybe have an episode on Law and Order.

I wish the government would do more to help fund mental health facilities/ professionals to help people like us.

soulsearcher83 08/30/2016

Maybe a probono lawyer could help. Might be worth asking around. That's horrible treatment and no one, mentally ill or not, deserves it. Be glad you don't work there anymore. There's a better job waiting.

soulsearcher83 08/30/2016

Contact the ADA and see what they say too.

rebellious_souls 08/30/2016

Depression is often misunderstood by the majority . This comes from the lack of research and reading everyone should be doing when it comes to these topics. So people tend to judge depressed people as the crazy ones or the creepy stalkers as in your case. And it's pretty disgusting and shameful that with all those sources of knowledge surrounding us , the human kind still tends to prefer judgemental behaviors based on very wrong ideas. I am very sorry you have been rejected and fired by a bunch of ignorant people. You have the very right to sue them. I believe you live in a country where the law can get you your right of work in a healthy environment again and teach those ,who you used to work for, a lesson of goddam humanity and self-respect.
May luck be with you.

ThePepperMan 08/30/2016

That sounded very harsh. Can you report them to the employment offices in your city/state? Many do have agencies that investigate things like this.

LastAcorn99 08/31/2016

Aww…this is terrible – I’m very sorry to hear this! I pray that you find future employment in a better organization. All the best!

bridgie101 08/31/2016

It feels like there is more to this story. Do you want to talk about what happened when you were having mood swings? If you threatened anybody then they would remove you; it'd be a health and safety issue not a bias against mental illness per se.

AnxietyFreak40 08/31/2016

You could spend your time and energy going after them...but is it worth it? If that is how they treat their staff I would certainly not want to go back. I think your energy would be better spent finding a happier place to work and getting your meds on track. I work in a crappy environment right now. The way they treat people makes me want to puke. I am just riding it out until I finish school (2 more semesters), but If I got fired? awesome. this place sucks the life out of you. Hugs!!

psyko 08/31/2016

Thanks guys for the support...I want to get a lawyer or someone, but I don't want to cause trouble cuz i know a lot of people there in law and is on their side. Plus, what's done is done; on the bright side my mom still was able to keep her membership which is nice cuz she can now workout. What really ticks me off is how EVERYONE (except this 1guy who is sorta a weirdo) has left me alone and never contacted me cuz they were told to cuz I was a threat.
my dad also brought up a good point saying that it could be a "race" thing too cuz I'm the only non-white one in the department I was working in (unless you count some really bad tans) and that I'm lower class unlike almost all the people there, and I also got paid less than most people and didn't get the hours i was promised. It wouldn't be the first time someone singled me out or lied about me (like a rumor saying i was a lesbian maybe cuz I support the lgbt community?? and I was talking to a young kid about inappropriate stuff. Also not true cuz I didn't really see any little kids in my department), but that was WAY before all this started.
I do have 2 jobs both at restaurants, which I found out isn't for me, but at least i make decent money. I still think my true passion is in fitness instructing, but I don't have any motivation to do so.

psyko 08/31/2016

AnxietyFreak40. I'm currently working fulltime at 1 job and part time at the other...both in restaurants. I really want to quit 1, but I just got a raise and that might not be a good idea. You don't know my boss and once she's mad at you...well good luck with life (JK i think). The other problem I have is people WON'T leave me the F alone on going back to school. I told them I'm not ready cuz I'm not gonna spend MY money into a program I'm not sure, and I'm also working full time too. It's my life and if they want me to go back to school then THEY should pay. Right now I'm mostly dealing with the deaths of my grandma (in april) my grandpa (June), and a friend (a few weeks ago in august). This year has been WAY more difficult than it should be

Join the Conversation