benefits for those with mental illnesses?

ss2210

Hi, I am a struggling 18 year old college student in my 2nd year. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for years now, so severe I has to be removed from school. I am only just managing with college and I think one of the.main reasons I go is the very small amount f money I get weekly (£20) from my parents' child tax money. I am extremely scared about the future because I truly believe I would not be able to cope with a job. I know you can get a benefit if you're mentally ill ans need care but I don't think I need care. Thanks in advance for any help

marybelle01

You really don't know whether you'd be able to cope with a job - and you don't need to worry about it yet since you aren't even looking for one. Get to your GP and get some help now whilst you are still at college, and stop worrying about tomorrow - get through today first. That's how everyone has to do it, depression or not. By the time you need to start looking for employment you may be much better at coping if you get help now.

emerald_starcat

Have you been diagnosed? Are you on medication to control your anxiety or on anti-depressants?

Anny_2

You may not need care but some support would no doubt help if you are putting yourself under pressure to attend college for £20 per week...do you have any contact with mental health providers? if not...get some...go to you GP and ask to be referred.

You can get DLA for mental health and this could help take the pressure off until you feel able to study or work again. I am sure others will be along to help shortly who know the in and outs.

You are 18 and although it may not feel so at this time you have a long life ahead of you...and you should be looking forward to that and enjoying life.

Try every way you can to see benefits to only be a short term measure while you work on your issues and until you are able to get back to study or a job.

Please, go to your GP and get some support to try and help work through your anxiety and depression.

I wish you well and hope that things work out for you.

Take care.

ss2210

I had been in support for years sincr i was about 12 until I turned 18 but the waiting list for the adult service is really long so not sure where I stand on that.. honestly it hasn't helped me one bit.

pickpocketlocket

Anny wrote: »

You can get DLA for mental health and this could help take the pressure off until you feel able to study or work again. I am sure others will be along to help shortly who know the in and outs.

The OP has already said they have no care needs, so DLA would not be applicable.

OP, can you identify why you do not feel you will be able to cope with work? You could look at the time you have left at college to find ways to overcome these barriers. From what you have said, it might be helpful to learn some CBT skills - the website "Living Life to the Full" can help with this (it is recommended by the NHS), as can books such as "CBT for Dummies". Most libraries will stock this.

PippaGirl_2

Moodgym is free CBT online, highly recommended. Make a change in your thinking, don't allow yourself to think "I can't" and instead think "I am going to try my best" it really works.

princessdon

ss2210 wrote: »

I think one of the.main reasons I go is the very small amount f money I get weekly (£20) from my parents' child tax money.

I can't comment on the MH issues - but think of this as a positive.

£200 per week for working - ususually with LESS stress than college. Don't rule something out that you haven't tried.

Have you considered some voluntary work (relating to your course or career). If not a few hours a week may help you.

Dunroamin

What course are you on and what are you planning to do with it?

Gemma3108

PippaGirl wrote: »

Moodgym is free CBT online, highly recommended. Make a change in your thinking, don't allow yourself to think "I can't" and instead think "I am going to try my best" it really works.

This really does work. I did it while waiting for CBT with my doctors and it helped A LOT. You have to stick to it as best as you can, and you can't sit thinking it's not going to work. Some of it is quite fun to do. And it really helps you think about things and puts them in a different perspective :)

Anny_2

I realise the OP said he/she did not need care but does he/she need support...which appears to be almost the same thing under DLA... maybe being prompted to get up in the morning...go to bed on an evening...take medication...give self-care. All these and more appear to come under the criteria for claiming DLA.

Even low rate DLA care and mobility (if the OP struggles with going out alone) would give sometime to not only take the pressure off but also explore various therapies that may help.

Care and support seem to be almost interchangeable within the DLA criteria and often people will deny they need care or not recognise the care they have...but will admit they need or have some support in day to day living.

The OP is at college and struggling and while some therapies may work that does not immediately take the pressure off or may due to the time needed for therapy added to college time...actually increase the pressure.

If not DLA then surely there is some other benefit available to someone in this situation who is asking for help because they are struggling to fulfil an activity for £20 per week.

I am not advocating the OP becomes a long term benefit claimant...just that some breathing space is given within what can be a very, very destructive condition...anxiety and depression.

OP try and go to CAB and see if they have any suggestions.

I wish you well.