Living with a mental illness can feel debilitating, especially when it affects your ability to work. Many people worry about how they will support themselves and what steps they need to take. If you’re grappling with mental health challenges and asking yourself, “What happens if I can’t work due to mental illness?” It’s important to know you are not alone, and there are resources that can help.
How Mental Illness Impacts Your Ability to Work
Mental illness can affect concentration, emotional regulation, energy levels, and decision-making. Conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can even make it difficult to get through a workday. These challenges make completing tasks, following routines, or maintaining social interactions at work arduous at best. Some people may be able to work part-time, but what happens if you can’t work due to mental illness? Read on for our suggestions.
What to Do When Mental Health Affects Your Job
First and foremost, you should speak to a professional if your mental health is affecting your job performance or making it impossible to work. A licensed mental health provider can offer a diagnosis and recommend appropriate mental health treatment. In terms of answering the question, what if I can’t work due to mental illness, the documentation from a mental health professional is crucial for helping you prove and plan out the process of applying for medical leave, requesting job accommodations, or filing for disability benefits.
Can You Take Medical Leave for Mental Illness?
Many individuals ask, “What happens if I can’t work due to mental illness?” Very often, they seek government support through the FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act) for job-protected leave. This federal law permits eligible employees to take a maximum of 12 weeks off for serious health conditions, including mental illness. While the leave may be unpaid, your job is protected. Your doctor will need to provide documentation of your condition and treatment plan.
Workplace Accommodations for Mental Health Conditions
If you have anxiety about going to work, you have protections. The ADA (the Americans with Disabilities Act) is a law that ensures employees receive certain accommodations. The ADA allows employees to request reasonable concessions for mental health conditions at work, and some of these accommodations include things like:
- Flexible work hours
- Remote work options
- Extended breaks
- A quieter or private workspace
These accommodations help you stay in your job while managing your mental health. Employers must consider the request unless it creates undue hardship on the business.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits for Mental Illness
What if you can’t work due to mental illness and you need financial assistance? If you’re unable to work for a prolonged period of time, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. There are two programs to consider:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for Mental Health
SSDI is for people who have a work history and have paid into Social Security. To qualify, you must show your mental illness is severe, long-term, and prevents you from doing any type of work.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Mental Illness
Supplemental Security Income provides monthly payments to individuals with disabilities who have little or no income and resources. You do not need to have a work history to apply for SSI. As with SSDI, you must show evidence (such as medical records) of how your condition limits your ability to work.
Mental Health Treatment Options That Can Help You Recover
While financial considerations are valid, if you can’t work due to mental illness, seeking treatment is the most pivotal action for improving your quality of life. Options include:
- Individual therapy
- Group counseling
- Medication management
- Intensive outpatient programs
Neurish Wellness, our premiere mental health treatment center in Orange County, CA, offers personalized care and support, helping clients find stability and hope. Our goal is to help you heal and regain control of your life, at your own pace.
Can You Return to Work After Mental Health Recovery?
Many people do return to work after mental health treatment. Some go back to their previous jobs, while others explore part-time work, new careers, or work-from-home options. There are also “return-to-work” programs that allow you to ease back in while keeping some benefits.
Getting Help When You Can’t Work Due to Mental Illness
Conflict and angst about work because of mental illness are more common than many people realize. There are laws to protect you, benefits to support you, and treatment programs to help you recover. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Are you asking yourself, “What happens if I can’t work due to mental illness?” Reach out to us at Neurish Wellness. We’re here to guide you through each step—from a proper diagnosis to lifelong recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions: What Happens If I Can't Work Due to Mental Illness?
Can I get unemployment if I leave my job due to mental illness?
In most cases, quitting a job for medical reasons, including mental illness, makes you ineligible for unemployment benefits. However, some states may allow it if you can prove your condition made working impossible and you left under medical advice.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for mental health disability benefits?
No, but many people choose to work with a disability lawyer or advocate to improve their chances. The process can be long and complex, and legal support may help you avoid common mistakes.
How long does it take to get approved for mental health disability?
It varies, but many applicants wait several months or even over a year for a decision. Some are approved on the first try, but many people are initially denied and must go through an appeals process.
Will a mental health diagnosis stay on my employment record?
No, your diagnosis is protected health information. Employers don’t have access to your medical records unless you voluntarily share them for accommodations or medical leave purposes.
Can I work part-time and still get disability for mental illness?
Yes, in some cases. The Social Security Administration has rules about how much you can earn while still receiving benefits. This is known as “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA) and the limits change each year.
Is mental illness considered a permanent disability?
Not always. Some people recover fully or improve enough to return to work. Others may have long-term conditions that qualify as permanent disabilities. Each case is different and depends on medical documentation and how the illness affects your daily life.
Cole Dyar is the Executive Director & co-founder of Neurish Wellness. He has been working in the behavioral health field in operational, clinical, organizational, and managerial capacities for thirteen years. He holds a degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz in sociology and is a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC) as recognized by CCAPP. Cole holds a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology including: Organizational Leadership and Design, a Post-Masters in General Marriage and Family Therapy, and is currently a doctoral candidate in MFT with an emphasis in Systemic Administration & Entrepreneurship.