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Ash Devereaux
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
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 Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:31 pm Post subject: Getting hired with depression? |
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Hi all,
I was wondering how many of you mentioned that you had (or have dealt) with depression, and if you got hired. My Korean friends tell me,"Do NOT tell them that you have it." When I was honest with one recruiter about it, I got the,"I'm sorry, even if you've had depression in the past, we cannot hire you."
My depression is easily controlled with medication, which my doctor stateside has already said he'll keep my prescription coming to me overseas. And if not, my Korean friends assure me I can still get it.
So do I be honest or do I just lie? I have a Master's (in history though) and I have taught so you'd think that would outweigh any emotional problems.
-Ash |
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fusionbarnone
Joined: 31 May 2004
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Everyone feels a little down sometimes. No need to go into description about your off days. Keep it private. |
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The Hammer
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Ullungdo 37.5 N, 130.9 E, altitude : 223 m
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Straphanger
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Getting hired with depression? |
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| Ash Devereaux wrote: |
| When I was honest with one recruiter about it, I got the,"I'm sorry, even if you've had depression in the past, we cannot hire you." |
Why would you tell somebody that? |
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travelingfool
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Location: Parents' basement
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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Well, we all know that someone with depression would be a terrible teacher and a danger to all citizens of Korea. Same thing with herb smokers. Totally unfit for the job. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and just stay home! Korea has no gays, diseases, or depressed people. Instead of medication or counseling, people in Korea just take headers off of buildings and bridges. Much more effective way of coping.
Seriously, NEVER EVER admit to any mental health issues in any context unless you live in the land of fruits and nuts (California) where everyone is on medication and has their own therapist. |
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zeldalee13
Joined: 08 Nov 2008
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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| fusionbarnone wrote: |
| Everyone feels a little down sometimes. No need to go into description about your off days. Keep it private. |
Agreed. |
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Jammer113
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:46 am Post subject: |
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Keeping it private would require you to lie on the health form to immigration. That could theoretically get you deported. Something to be aware of.
There is a huge stygma in Korea about having any sort of mental insufficiency, including depression. It's changing slowly. Very, very slowly. |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:02 am Post subject: |
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| Jammer113 wrote: |
Keeping it private would require you to lie on the health form to immigration. That could theoretically get you deported. Something to be aware of.
There is a huge stygma in Korea about having any sort of mental insufficiency, including depression. It's changing slowly. Very, very slowly. |
I'm sorry, but I don't really see things changing in Korea on that point. Until it is addressed squarely by people in power and the psychiatric community, you will not see substantial change. That I find very depressing. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:47 am Post subject: |
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If I was mentally "insufficient" I probably have half a brain... or the corpus callosum would not be connected and I'd be a idiot savant... but then the right half would not know what the left half was doing... kind of like K-Immi. 
OP,
Don't worry about it... and 'make a mistake' on the medical self-evaluation... after all, I'd be surprised to find you're a qualified medical practitioner. |
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Seon-bee
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
Location: ROK
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:03 am Post subject: |
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How does your depression effect your ability to get along with staff and students, to perform competently?.
In my experience, working with passive /agressive or bipolar individuals who have up and down days is a bear. Every day, co-workers feel like they are walking on egg shells. Having to deal with negative behavioral effects in interpersonal situations is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. And then there is slack to pick up.
I think there's a reason why they ask potential employees this question. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:13 am Post subject: |
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| Seon-bee wrote: |
| In my experience, working with passive /agressive or bipolar individuals... |
These individuals sound like my K co-teachers.... the big difference between them and me is I don't carry a stick. |
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Gillian57
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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Even admitting that you once, in the past, were on medication for depression will get you fired. So, unless you want to live with that secret, and trust me, don't tell anyone, Korean or foreigner, I would not recommend you come here.
Plus, once here, if you should need to have your meds refilled, be aware, your medical history is not kept private. Your school is sent copies of why you were visiting the doctor.
Honestly, coming here would not be a good move. Korea is stressful enough, couple that with having to keep "secrets" and it is a recipe for disaster.
Just my two-cents worth. |
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traveler007
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Keep it private. |
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ChinaBoy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Coming to teach in Korea with depression is a recipe for disaster. |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:11 am Post subject: |
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| Gillian57 wrote: |
Even admitting that you once, in the past, were on medication for depression will get you fired. So, unless you want to live with that secret, and trust me, don't tell anyone, Korean or foreigner, I would not recommend you come here.
Plus, once here, if you should need to have your meds refilled, be aware, your medical history is not kept private. Your school is sent copies of why you were visiting the doctor.
Honestly, coming here would not be a good move. Korea is stressful enough, couple that with having to keep "secrets" and it is a recipe for disaster.
Just my two-cents worth. |
If you sort out the hospital visit yourself (without utilising the help of your school) then the Doctor will not send details of your visit back to the school you work for as the school will be unaware you are even there. They are bound by the Hippocratic oath as are doctors anywhere else in the world. If they did provide your data to someone without your permission you have legal redress. Additionally you don't have to disclose your prior medical experience to a Doctor, you could just say that your mum or dad or sister suffer from depression and say that what you are suffering from is suspiciously close to their problems.
Korea is a fairly depressing place sometimes, and can be mentally tough for most teachers working out here. I would say that if you are going to come here then make sure you stick to Seoul - that way you have a large number of other EFL teachers around who you can befriend and can act as a support network for you during a dark period. Additionally, there are a large number of English speaking clinics and hospital units in Seoul, as well as Psychiatrists and Therapists. Although I live right next to an English speaking hospital in Suwon, this is the exception rather than the rule for those living outside of Seoul and can make it a lot more difficult and daunting to obtain the help you need when you do need it. |
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