When prioritizing mental health, what level of depressive symptom severity suggests intensive treatment is critical before employment?

When concentration is severely impaired and basic life functioning like showering or eating is a monumental effort.

Self-preservation dictates a strategic pause when depressive symptoms reach a critical threshold that compromises fundamental self-care and basic life functioning. If an individual finds that routine daily activities, such as maintaining personal hygiene (showering), ensuring proper nutrition (eating), or attending necessary medical appointments (therapy), require monumental effort, attempting to simultaneously meet the demands of employment will almost certainly lead to negative outcomes. This includes severe burnout, subsequent job loss, and an escalation of negative self-talk. In such a state, experts suggest that the immediate priority must shift entirely toward securing intensive treatment to stabilize mental health, thereby establishing a foundation of strength for any future work endeavors rather than entering the job market from a position of instability.