Dealing with the JC and Anxiety

Welshwoofs

wishface wrote: »

What I asked was perfectly clear. It was a simple straightforward question; I am at a loss as to how you can think it vague.

Kingfisher was right - your question was vague. Here it is again:

"Does anyone know of any websites/forums that help people with mental health issues such as the above (and more) deal with the JC+ (giving advice on how to deal with the system, people, place etc)."

In order to answer that question, one would need to know in what way you need help with anxiety vis-a-vis dealing with the JC, for instance:

• Are you asking for help with form-filling?
• Are you asking for help with accessibility? (getting to appointments etc)
• Are you asking for help with how to describe your ailments for a specific benefit?
• Are you asking what benefits your ailments may entitle you to?

Without knowing what exactly you are having difficulties with at the JC it's incredibly hard for people to advise you what to do.

wishface

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

OP (!) wouldn't it have been much simpler to have said

"I suffer from depression/anxiety/bipolar/etc and I wonder if anybody could help me with signing on/claiming JSA/going for interviews/etc.

Then you would have been offered all the help you needed.

that isn't what I asked.

wishface

Welshwoofs wrote: »

Kingfisher was right - your question was vague. Here it is again:

"Does anyone know of any websites/forums that help people with mental health issues such as the above (and more) deal with the JC+ (giving advice on how to deal with the system, people, place etc)."

In order to answer that question, one would need to know in what way you need help with anxiety vis-a-vis dealing with the JC, for instance:

• Are you asking for help with form-filling?
• Are you asking for help with accessibility? (getting to appointments etc)
• Are you asking for help with how to describe your ailments for a specific benefit?
• Are you asking what benefits your ailments may entitle you to?

Without knowing what exactly you are having difficulties with at the JC it's incredibly hard for people to advise you what to do.

I didn't ask for help dealing with the JC, i asked if people knew of any websites. That is clear.

cit_k

You can try benefitsandwork.co.uk, the forum on their is free.

tcr_3

wishface wrote: »

Help in dealing with the system when the system doesn't respect the problems you have. Problems such as being compelled to attend interviews with staff who are, let's just say, unhelpful, whiel having to deal with problems of anxiety and stress. I dont really want to discuss my issues here because there is unfortunately a very nasty intolerant streak that pervades these forums.

If your health is so poor that you can't attend the Job Centre, could you not ring them & ask for someone to visit you instead ? They've normally got Compliance Officers available at the larger Job Centres who can carry out such duties, isn't that a possibility ?

Or what about having someone with you at the interview, a family member or friend ? If it's an office interview, and if you feel unwell, ask the staff member if you can go outside for some fresh air, or perhaps if you could be seen in a private interview room ? Or ask them for a glass of water ...

You're making out as if we're monsters ... and I'm sorry "one system doesn't always fit all".

We do try our very best, in the face of some rather daunting odds.

wishface

tcr wrote: »

If your health is so poor that you can't attend the Job Centre, could you not ring them & ask for someone to visit you instead ? They've normally got Compliance Officers available at the larger Job Centres who can carry out such duties, isn't that a possibility ?

Or what about having someone with you at the interview, a family member or friend ? If it's an office interview, and if you feel unwell, ask the staff member if you can go outside for some fresh air, or perhaps if you could be seen in a private interview room ? Or ask them for a glass of water ...

You're making out as if we're monsters ... and I'm sorry "one system doesn't always fit all".

We do try our very best, in the face of some rather daunting odds.

That has never been a possibility and again it is not the original question.

Metranil_Vavin

methinks this thread must be a wind up...

dmg24

wishface wrote: »

That has never been a possibility and again it is not the original question.

richard9991 and I both gave suggestions as to how you could find more information. Have you actioned either suggestion?

Welshwoofs

wishface wrote: »

I didn't ask for help dealing with the JC, i asked if people knew of any websites. That is clear.

You asked for websites for people with mental issues who need help dealing with the JC. I asked in what way you need help as that obviously dictates what sort of website people suggest!

You seem to be dead set on being as obtuse as you can possibly be so I'll simply give you one piece of advice. Whatever your mental issue is, Google for online support groups for that particular issue and you'll most likely find areas of their support sites for help with the DWP.

I'll leave you with one piece of advice. If you treat people as though they are idiots and make your every communication as confrontational as possible (as you are doing on this thread) then you will meet obstruction and possibly even hostility. Be a little more friendly and polite and you'll likely receive a friendly and helpful response... DWP staff are not an exception to that rule.

tcr_3

wishface wrote: »

That has never been a possibility and again it is not the original question.

Ok. Try http://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/
or here http://www.mentalhealth-world.org.uk/forums/

Take care.