Work can be an important part of recovery. Work doesn’t necessarily mean going to a nine-to-five job every day. In fact, for some Medicaid members, a nine-to-five job may not be practical because their might risk losing their benefits. But that shouldn’t prevent you from working. Work can be any activity that a person does that has important to the community. Of course work can be a paid job; but it can also be volunteering at a drop-in center or animal shelter, homemaking, or finishing your education. All of these activities have value, but you may not necessarily get paid.

Some members are reluctant to go back to work because they believe stress of a job might cause a relapse. Other members think they can’t work because they have symptoms of their illness. Still others have been out of the work force for so long that they don’t think they can handle a job.

In spite of the challenges work can have a positive effect on recovery. Recovery doesn’t mean that a person no longer has symptoms. Recovery has a much more complicated definition than that. Members who are successful have described recovery as:

• Having hope for the future
• Having a reason to get up in the morning
• Being able to make and keep friends
• Accomplishing something worthwhile
• Being confident in their ability to handle stress
• Believing that there is a connection between personal effort and success
• Being able to make choices.

Work can help your recovery in all of these areas. It gives you a chance to make friends, helps you set goals, and helps you accomplish something every day; and if you get paid, gives you more choices in your life.

Paid work or volunteering?
Job interviews – tips for persons with disabilities
Job Accommodations
Self Disclosure – Should I tell my co-workers about my disability?
Getting the job