Disabled Student's Allowance -- worth applying for mental health?

foreveranon

Hi guys,

I have some issues with anxiety and depression. I don't talk about them much to anyone because, to be honest, I have issues accepting them myself. On the good days, I don't want to be depressed so I don't think about it, on the bad days I don't want to talk to anyone about anything let alone about that.

My office don't know. I'm a female in an almost entirely male environment which frankly is painting enough of a bullseye on me without announcing that. I am, however, completing a foundation degree at college, and they do know because I needed to explain why I might sometimes behave oddly and get demanding if my anxiety was bad (if I don't know my timetable and the semester changes next week OH DEAR GOD, what if I don't show for lessons? And everyone else somehow does and I miss it? WHAT THEN?) or need to leave the room to calm myself down.

I don't take medication. I've been for two lots of counselling -- six weeks of sessions few years ago, and a couple of sessions last summer through the NHS which I dropped out of because my office didn't know why I was suddenly booking every Tuesday off, and then I had swine flu and was off for three weeks so any holiday would be looked at skew-wiff and I couldn't face EXPLAINING and.. okay, I know, I'm an idiot.

The point this rather long explanation is getting to is that I'm applying to go to Northumbria Uni for a year fulltime come September. I selected mental health issues on the UCAS form, figuring I might need to explain that I needed to leave for panic attacks sometimes, and they sent me a booklet. Which I promptly sulked at for a week because I didn't WANT people thinking I was some helpless little flower before sucking it up and actually reading the thing and going.. huh. Regular meetings with a tutor to stop my self-confidence dropping to the point where I talk myself into leaving.. might actually help. Who knew they did helpful services?

They also sent me a booklet about DSA -- which my first instinct was, again, to glare at and go I DO NOT NEED THAT. But I'm learning that first instinct might be faulty so.. could I use that? What sort of services would it offer for depression and anxiety? I do not want to stress myself applying if there is nothing of use to me.

Indie_Kid

You may get extensions on coursework and exam concessions.

dmg24

Definitely apply for DSA! You could potentially get a laptop, a dictaphone, a book and printing allowance etc. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to apply, the funding is there to put you on an equal level to your fellow students so you can get the most out of your time at uni.

Taiko

You'd be looking at possibly some support equipment wise, and there can be things such as mentoring that can be put into place through DSA.

You would need evidence from your GP of a diagnosis of what's going on with you though, and it would also need to state how your illness affects your ability to study.

foreveranon

Taiko wrote: »

You would need evidence from your GP of a diagnosis of what's going on with you though, and it would also need to state how your illness affects your ability to study.

Thank you, what do I need to ask for from my GP please? He was the one who referred me to counselling last summer, so I assume that counts as evidence. Do I just make an appointment with him and go ask, or ring the surgery, or..?

dmg24

foreveranon wrote: »

Thank you, what do I need to ask for from my GP please? He was the one who referred me to counselling last summer, so I assume that counts as evidence. Do I just make an appointment with him and go ask, or ring the surgery, or..?

It would be worth contacting Student Support at your uni. They will often contact the GP and explain what they need to include in the letter.

WolfSong2000

As dmg24 says, go speak to student support - they'l be able to write letters to your lecturers, etc (not giving detals of your condition necessarily) saying that you'd appreciate leeway with deadlines, etc, and you can discuss any extra support needs with them. I used them this year as I have memory issues (possible epilepsy, still getting tests done), and they've been really, really great

Taiko

As the above have said, go through your university as they will deal with this often.

The information I look for when saying yes or no for a DSA application would be what I previously mentioned. Your university will give you a hand getting it all together though.

3plus1

foreveranon wrote: »

I didn't WANT people thinking I was some helpless little flower

I didn't disclose I had a disability whilst I was at university. In retrospect, I really wish I had. Don't get me wrong, I still walked out of there with a 2:1, but I could have made things much easier for myself.

The older you get, the more disinterested you get in struggling just for the sake of it.

bestpud

I'm almost finished now and should come out with a 2:1 but I really wish I'd spoken up earlier as it's been a struggle.

I've had a lot of support from a student counsellor (and I recommend you contact them too of you feel you need it) but I've had to rely on the extenuating circumstances process a few times and it's stressful to say the least.

I'd say go for it, without a doubt - it's not worth struggling for the sake of it.

cirrusmp

<Please Delete>