The Race is art about work and meaning. It's not therapy or crisis intervention. Before continuing, let's check if you might need additional support.
Self-harm thoughts are serious and require immediate professional help. The Race can wait.
Art and perspective shifts might not be enough right now. Clinical support could be more helpful.
Depression is highly treatable. Talk to a doctor about whether your brain chemistry might need support.
Exploring different perspectives on work can provide insight and emotional relief when you're not in crisis.
Professional resources for longer-term support and healing
Comprehensive therapist directory with filters for insurance, specialty, and approach
Affordable therapy ($30-$80 per session) for those without insurance or with high deductibles
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - find registered therapists in the UK
Some wheels are neurochemical. Medications like SSRIs (sertraline/Zoloft, fluoxetine/Prozac) can change brain chemistry in ways that make you wonder: "Was I trapped, or was my brain telling me I was?"
Both things can be true: the systems around you can be genuinely problematic AND your brain chemistry might need support to see them clearly.
If you haven't talked to a psychiatrist, you might be fighting a neurochemical battle with philosophical weapons.
Medical doctors who can prescribe medication and provide psychiatric evaluation
Learn about psychiatric medications, side effects, and what to expect
Information about your rights at work, including harassment, discrimination, and unsafe conditions
Report unsafe working conditions and learn about occupational safety standards
Information about organizing, unions, and collective bargaining rights
Resources specifically for work-related stress, burnout, and career transitions
Understanding when your struggle is internal, external, or both
Most people dealing with work-related distress are fighting on two fronts simultaneously:
Key insight: If you haven't ruled out neurochemical factors, you might be fighting a two-front war with only one set of weapons.
Psychiatric medication isn't "giving up" or "accepting the system." It's adjusting your brain's terrain so you can see the real battlefield clearly and fight more effectively.
Consider this approach:
If you're feeling stable and ready to explore different perspectives on your work experience:
Remember: The Race will be here whenever you're ready. Your mental health and safety always come first.