[Jackie07]

I was very, very depressed the first two times when I had lost my job due to cancer treatment. The third time, I felt kind of bad. The fourth time, I tried everything I could to see if there's a way around it (to regain my teaching certificate perhaps through another program)and started taking a math class online through the local community college. Just had my midterm exam and I think I aced it - that made me feel pretty good.

Exercising - both physically and mentally - is essential for a positive mood. But doing something you are good at and hanging out with people who love you and know your 'worth' (Have you seen the movie 'Joy Luck Club'?)
will help you come out of it. The biggest mistake I made when I lost my job 14 months after my first brain surgery was to stay home and not getting involved with anybody or anything. That only made my condition worse. When I finally got a job as a hostess in a local Chinese restaurant, I was able to gradually regain my 'brain function' and came out of the depression.

But, first thing you might want to do is to rest... and then regoup and restart. I've been making more money each time I got a new job (pretty much had to change my profession and to go out of town each time ...(after doing some very, very low- paying jobs in between.)
Write a diary, stay online with us... We are doing pretty much like a group counseling session here. Take advantage of it. We are all with you.