Depression - Count?

Needhelpsaving

I am sorry, but I think it's things like this that cause us people who suffer with depression to be stigmatised.

I suffer with severe depression, to the point where I have tried to take my own life - but I have never asked for what cash my disability could get me. I go to work and have sought help through conselling.

You need to get an incentive to get up in the morning. Going to work, earning a living and paying off your own debts is a good way to do this. Granted, there are some people who are so unfortunate as to not be able to do this - but why not try it before asking for handouts?

Kiechi

^ I failed first year because of it and was refused back onto the course, despite only failing 40 percent of the course, passing 60 I'd have less of a workload in the retake year, I was refused because of having depression (Despite having a doctors note, which even then she doubted the validity of). So now I am on my second year of my new course, alike you maturelearner, in some considerable debt hanging over my head, which makes me feel worse but I try to block it out, which isn;t right but I simply don't have the funds or the courage to go get help as I just feel great anxiety when even thinking about it. I'm not quite sure what to do...

Kiechi

I am sorry, but I think it's things like this that cause us people who suffer with depression to be stigmatised.

Yes, that's why funding for people with such disabilities exist, no?

I suffer with severe depression, to the point where I have tried to take my own life -

You're no different than no-one else. Congratulations, you've attempted to take your own life but yet you've never sought after funding? What, does that make you better than me?

What stigmatises depression are people like you. You have nothing but an assumption of me cashing in on handouts purely because of the question I asked? You're the type of people who suffer who sit on their high horses, telling people this is what you need to do to get out of it whilst in a great ruck yourself, but as you should know, it's NOT that easy, if it was meant to be, depression wouldn't be a problem.

GlasweJen

There is no cash available for disabled students per se but they are allowed to claim LHA if they aren't usually allowed to (i.e. no kids). You can apply for DSA but this isn't cash, it's towards the costs of adaptive technology, non medical helpers, or consumables for said adaptive technology. You're still allowed to claim DLA and also if you work 16 hours you can still claim tax credits. Your university discretionary fund may also give you priority in times of financial hardship if your disability prevents you from working.

Needhelpsaving

Firstly, I think your reply is rude. I am trying to suggest an alternative. Working also helps with the social aspect of depression.

I honestly question whether you have suffered depression if you can congratulate me on being so lost that I took the decision to attempt to take my own life.

I am merely suggesting that you try other means as money will not help at all - conselling; medicines etc help. I am encouraging you to take other routes.

I find your comments very upsetting.

jackieb

Needhelpsaving wrote: »

Firstly, I think your reply is rude. I am trying to suggest an alternative. Working also helps with the social aspect of depression.

I honestly question whether you have suffered depression if you can congratulate me on being so lost that I took the decision to attempt to take my own life.

I am merely suggesting that you try other means as money will not help at all - conselling; medicines etc help. I am encouraging you to take other routes.

I find your comments very upsetting.

First of all, i'm sorry you're feeling upset.

I think it's great if you're able to go out and work and I do think it's the best thing to do - that's if you can do it. I'm speaking on behalf of my son, but I do know that he's very stressed at the moment. He needs all his bits to go out to college. There's no way he could get a job as well to support himself. I know he couldn't do both at the same time. I know some people can and do and that's great, but for some people it 's just too much. However, I do think he's better going out and mixing with people at college, rather than just sitting at home all day. The money he gets enables him to go to college, and hopefully he'll get better and manage to pay his dues back to society eventually.

dmg24

To be fair Needhelpsaving, you have made a lot of assumptions about the OP and hence caused offence. I am glad that returning to the workplace helped you, but that may not be practical for the OP. Depression affects people in different ways, and questioning whether the OP truly has depression is not very nice.

DLA is there for the extra costs involved in managing a health condition. For the OP, this may be payment towards therapy, or help towards taxis if they do not feel able to cope on public transport. Equally, it may be used towards going out for a meal, something which on the surface may appear to be a luxury, but may have therapeutic benefits for the OP.

Needhelpsaving

I said in my original post that I reconginse that not everyone can go to work; but I suggested trying it.

I question how someone can be so mean to congatulate people on trying to commit suicide - if you have been there that was the last comment that should be made.

I am not trying to say this is the only way to do things; hence my suggestion of conselling, medication etc. Either way, i'm not going to be bullied by people on a post that are sticking up for somone who condones that I should have taken my life.

jackieb

I honestly don't think that any of us is condoning that comment. It's an emotive subject and people can feel strongly about it. xx

Kiechi

Needhelpsaving wrote: »

I said in my original post that I reconginse that not everyone can go to work; but I suggested trying it.

I question how someone can be so mean to congatulate people on trying to commit suicide - if you have been there that was the last comment that should be made.

I am not trying to say this is the only way to do things; hence my suggestion of conselling, medication etc. Either way, i'm not going to be bullied by people on a post that are sticking up for somone who condones that I should have taken my life.

I think you took that comment a bit too seriously, I did not condone you taking your life (which to me is pretty clear). I also don't appreciate you questioning my condition, but then again it just reinforces my previous notion.

P.S - You're not the only person who's been that far in a rut to attempt to take their life. I've attempted before too, but you don't see me making an issue of it or using it as a vice to justify my depression, unlike you.