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

Indie_Kid

It depends why they can't. I can't cope because I can't see the slides and can't listen, read the slides and write at the same.

Amethyst_ice

I dont know about other lectures but ours are intended as just a guide to what to learn and dont really 'teach' us anything as such. I have missed lots of lectures but have got the gist of what i need from the slides and reading lists.

I have trouble going out sometimes aside from my crohns...another person cant help, only the person can help themselves over time. I know what my issues are, certainly having a stranger wouldnt help me..but thats just me.

ps. tomorrow i have my first full day training in an archaeological unit ..i am so nervous about being able to cope physiclaly and mentally..plus i am going to be in charge of first years!! wish me luck!

poet123

sh1305 wrote: »

It depends why they can't. I can't cope because I can't see the slides and can't listen, read the slides and write at the same.

We are discussing MH issues, not physical incapacity.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

No-one has said that.

You do realise how ignorant you come across as?

Maybe to you, but I don't think myself ignorant at all. At least, no more than anyone else. I didn't not say that you (or anyone else) had explicitly said that. It is implied however, especially in the 'you can do, you can do, you can change, you can go elsewhere' type of statements. Not everyone who has trouble has a disability, and even those with disability can't necessarily get help, or in the case of some MH problems, want help.

Amethyst_ice wrote: »

Right well as a student in england ill tell you how it works. The max maintenance loan of £4,500 is what you can get living in London without any other bursaries or loans etc.

The bursaries and loans are given usually on academic performance or as a 'welcome' gift essentially..for example my uni give £800 bursay to students on low income families.

Your second point- i have already told you i did my first year and half of my second as a 'normal' student with no health issues so i know perfectly well what challenges they face. The point i am arguing is the DSA helps disabled students try fit in with their peers and not stand out- this makes us slightly equal but still disadvantaged.

Like I have said, I'm from Scotland and so can only go on what I can read online and from what I have heard elsewhere. I do know of people getting more than £6,000 per year, and it doesn't seem that uncommon.

Again, it is not the people I have a problem with but the system. Giving a book allowance gives students an advantage because they are no longer needing to use the library system, and a computer is something that we all need, disabled or not. I would like a fairer system, that doesn't try to have a technological fix or take students out of the same process as others. To example, I'm not saying that providing a few ramps will make a wheelchair user equal to a student who can walk. It most likely won't. The wheelchair user will still have a lot more issues, will probably need to take a different route to places, etc. But the student has access to the lecture theatre/library/wherever.

poet123 wrote: »

We are discussing MH issues, not physical incapacity.

Mental health is so tricky, isn't it? The person may want nothing more to stay at home and not see people, but that really isn't helping their situation. I totally agree that a computer will not help in these cases, and can definitely make it worse, especially the feelings of isolation/exclusion so often felt by those with MH issues.

Indie_Kid

Access is more than being able to physically walk into the library. I think there was someone on here who have MH problems. They said they can't just walk into the library and get a book. (unlike they could if their disability was something like, deafness)

I can walk into the library (providng there are none / a few steps) but need loans that are much longer than what the library offers. If I buy the book, I can have it for as long as I need without risking fines.

poet123

Again, if they cant walk into a Library and get a book, the book allowance is facilitating their isolation. No one has addressed the issue of what happens after uni, how are these people employable? how has this actually helped long term? There are better, more effective, more enabling ways of support than have been extolled on this thread.

Indie_Kid

Such as..? As someone who claims to know a lot about MH, I would like to hear what you've got to say.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

Access is more than being able to physically walk into the library. I think there was someone on here who have MH problems. They said they can't just walk into the library and get a book. (unlike they could if their disability was something like, deafness)

I can walk into the library (providng there are none / a few steps) but need loans that are much longer than what the library offers. If I buy the book, I can have it for as long as I need without risking fines.

If you cannot get into the library then there are people (like mentors) who can get the book for you. I think everyone would like longer with the books, to be honest, but we cannot all buy them. There is also the fact that I would suggest the student try to get help with overcoming the reason why they cannot go into the library. This is usually an issue such as anxiety, which can be overcome with professional help and support. A book allowance negates the need for this.

Let's just say I can get three days with a book, and you can buy it and get forever. That is not a level playing field. We also have to remember that the chances of the student have nothing else in their life apart from reading that one book are slim to none.

poet123

sh1305 wrote: »

Such as..? As someone who claims to know a lot about MH, I would like to hear what you've got to say.

I have explained what works better, in the interests of clarity, that would initially be 1.1 personal support from a trained MH support Mentor, and could involve CBT, peer buddy schemes, counselling, Tutor/student liasion sessions, etc.

You have not answered my question re suitability for employment.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

If you cannot get into the library then there are people (like mentors) who can get the book for you. I think everyone would like longer with the books, to be honest, but we cannot all buy them.

The difference being I need longer with the book - you would like longer with the book. Or did you not my posts where I said I'm a slow reader and can only read for short periods at a time?