A person suffering from a mental disorder can obviously find it difficult to secure employment or keep his or her job. Mental conditions can be draining and stigmatizing, as well as make it hard to properly focus on both the challenges and opportunities that exist for providing treatment. Financial and other forms of assistance -- even if readily available -- might seem hard to find, with application processes that are difficult to navigate and even inordinately complex.

Any person suffering from a mental or emotional condition that makes it impossible to maintain full-time employment should know that he or she may be eligible for and qualify to receive Social Security Disability ("SSD") or Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") benefits as a result of their work history.

There is often a misconception that eligibility can be established only through clear demonstration of a physical limitation appearing in the Social Security Administration's "listing of impairments" that is used in the application process.

That is simply not true. A person's medical condition does not have to be listed among the cited group of impairments in order for the applicant to qualify for SSD or SSI benefits. In fact, persons suffering from a variety of mental conditions -- including depression and bipolar disorder -- apply for and are often awarded benefits.

Mental illness is not a strange and isolated condition in American society, but, rather, firmly recognized and a reality for many millions of Americans. "No state is free from the unique impact of mental disorders," concludes a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which breaks down and discusses the wide-ranging ailments that are encompassed within the universe of behavioral health issues.

Questions concerning the types of medical conditions that might qualify for disability benefits, as well as the application process involved, should be directed to an experienced disability attorney.

Related Resource: Media Newswire, "New national report shows many differences in the types and levels of substance use and mental illness problems experienced among the states" July 26, 2011