Help Working After the Psych Ward

[Achromatix]

This one's for psych ward experienced or anyone familiar with how the process works. I could use some help with an important question for me if I want to recover from suicidal idealization:

When you go into a psych ward or have to go, can you lose your job? (In the US)

I had recently had a huge relapse in my first attempt at recovery and quit my job and spiraled into a mental health crisis and kind of still there. I thought about saving myself, but I'm too tempted by suicide to take my meds anymore. So I thought I should go to a psych ward for a bit to get on the right meds while I don't feel safe. The only problem is: if i go through with it (I JUST applied for a job trying to get to work again, even though I'm not ready and just signed the hiring papers) I don't want fired from a job I haven't even started yet. I know if there's any chance of me living I need help asap, but I don't want to lose everything anyway by getting canned. Has anyone been through this or something similar?

 

[Burden_Bailey]

Ohh, I'm sorry. I haven't been through this before, but if I could give you help I would! I wish you luck. :)

 

[Achromatix]

Ohh, I'm sorry. I haven't been through this before, but if I could give you help I would! I wish you luck. :)

Any advice would be great! I'm torn on what I should do and I'm trying to gather info before I make a decision. I don't want to lose everything if I try to get well

 

[Burden_Bailey]

Any advice would be great! I'm torn on what I should do and I'm trying to gather info before I make a decision. I don't want to lose everything if I try to get well

I'll do some research for you!

 

[Achromatix]

I'll do some research for you!

oh wow, thank you! I tried google and the responses were very divided :(

 

[Kit1]

I wish I could advise, but I don't live in the US. However if you desperately need medical help to be able to live, then would it not be better to seek it - for if you start a new job and the mental health plays up, then that might still jeopardise the job anyway. In the UK, we have strong laws against employers discrimination against people who have disabilities (mental health, physical health, neurodivergence etc) - however it is also easier for employers to manage people out before thir probation period ends (without acknowledging that that decision was related to the health challenge)..,

Often we need to be okay first to be able to tackle life including work. I am so sorry that this is such a generic answer. Good Luck and I hope everything works out for you.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

Did they officially offer you the job?

If you're on a clear track towards starting a job, then I would advise against going to the psych ward. It can definitely interfere in that way.

If you don't have a job lined up then now would be the perfect time to go get sorted out in the hospital.

You should know though that even if you go in voluntarily that doesn't mean necessarily you'll get to decide when to leave and it is always a roll of the dice as to whether your experience will be helpful.

I would also advise you to just follow your medication regimen as prescribed even if it doesn't feel helpful (if there are a lot of side effects, that's another matter).

 

[girlsboysthems]

hmmm, I have been to the psych ward while i was working, however I come from a post socialist state that protects people and had no problem going back to work. I do recommend going on reddit or quora and asking this question to usa folks since yalls are more strict when it comes to healthcare or human rights tbh

 

[Dot]

Cld b wrth askng an advcacy orgnsatns as thy wll knw wht legl rghts r

Behavioral Health Equity

www.samhsa.gov

 

[Achromatix]

Did they officially offer you the job?

If you're on a clear track towards starting a job, then I would advise against going to the psych ward. It can definitely interfere in that way.

If you don't have a job lined up then now would be the perfect time to go get sorted out in the hospital.

You should know though that even if you go in voluntarily that doesn't mean necessarily you'll get to decide when to leave and it is always a roll of the dice as to whether your experience will be helpful.

I would also advise you to just follow your medication regimen as prescribed even if it doesn't feel helpful (if there are a lot of side effects, that's another matter).

Yes, they officially offered me the job. It's not a big thing though it's like a dollar store gig. I JUST signed the hire papers and was waiting on a call to finalize the paperwork and get my first shift (delayed due to the holidays) I live in the east coast so it's a hat toss what they would do since I haven't even worked a shift yet.
I've been trying a med regimen, but they aren't working (we're still exploring) and have an appointment soon, so I was trying to get my info sorted out before I made a decision I was going to possibly regret :(
Thank you all for the advice! :)