How Career Break Helped Me Sustain My Mental Health

Days were turning dark as my emotions eclipsed the will to wake up and cheer up. Nights were turning darker as oversleeping and unwanted nightmares hid the moon's glory. It was getting difficult every day to function normally. I took medicines to calm myself down and snatch one hope to live. But nothing worked. The most affected were my career and my work. "Why don't you take a break?" said my boss. But those words sounded differently to me. They came to my ears as a failure in life that further worsened my situation. 

Taking a career break is never taken positively. It is seen as a setback in the course of the career. Being employed is considered the norm and necessity while taking a break is sheer laziness and irresponsible behaviour. I was no different. I too had a similar mindset until career break became a necessity for me. 

My tryst with mental health issues

I was suffering from Depression and Bipolar Disorder. It was diagnosed in the year 2020 and it is continuing till today. Although the impact now is relatively less, when I was at the peak of the illness I had to give up everything- my normal functioning, job and dreams. It became difficult for me to write even a word because my mind used to be fogged with unwanted thoughts and my body numb with anxiety. 

I was constantly refusing to accept the fact that I was ill. That I needed help and a break from daily activities. This was because accepting it made me feel even more helpless. However, when things worsened, I had to open up about my problems. When my colleagues at work came to know about it, to my shock, they were really supportive. My boss changed my job contract to provide me with time for myself. 

I took a break from work

But when even that didn't work, she asked me to take a break. 

Initially of course I was hesitant. But I accepted it as an order. However, later I realised how important it was for me. 

It gave me time to improve my health. I was able to understand my feelings and illness a little better as I accepted the emotions I was feeling.

I changed my timetable, indulged myself in things I liked doing the most apart from my work and interacted with people who were suffering from similar issues. I took the help of medicines, therapists and parental support to recover as much as possible. 

Because I was not working, I felt hollow inside my heart and mind. I felt something was missing all the time. When I talked to my friends, I felt left out listening to their stories about work and success. But my parents didn't let me feel alone. They constantly supported me with their firm belief in me that I would get back on track soon. 

And now when I am a little better than before, I have joined my work back with new enthusiasm. Thanks to my colleagues who didn't let a career break be an obstacle in my continuing my work journey. 

Career breaks should be normalised in resumes

I recognise the fact that career breaks do not reflect positively on the resumes. And I have experienced that. Whenever I tried to apply for a new job, the gap always came to the question. And I wasn't able to explain. 

When I told recruiters that I was suffering from mental health issues, they further questioned if I would be able to manage now. How can they trust me that I won't relapse again? Even though I guaranteed them, the responses were negative. 

Some people advised me to not reveal my struggle with mental health but that didn't go down well with me. I didn't want to be dishonest at the very start of a new journey. So to hide my career break, I registered for a PhD. That was not a wrong decision but it was taken with a wrong intent. Everyone doesn't need to do something productive while they are on break. Breaks are meant to unwind and relax until you feel like yourself again. It is not about filling it with excuses that can explain. Career Breaks are better left unexplained.  

So through my article, I would like to urge all the recruiters to be considerate towards career breaks. There might be a million reasons behind it and every reason is valid. No person willingly wants to stop something they have started with enthusiasm and passion. Sometimes, life throws you into situations that demand you to work against your will. In such situations, it is better to accept what is right and mould it to your benefit.  

 Views expressed are the author's own.