benefits for those with mental illnesses?

Dunroamin

Anny wrote: »

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.
.

Unfortunately it's quite irresponsible to encourage someone of this age to drop out of education when, in a year's time, it will no longer be provided for free. This would make the possibility of a life on benefits even more likely.

Anny_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

Unfortunately it's quite irresponsible to encourage someone of this age to drop out of education when, in a year's time, it will no longer be provided for free. This would make the possibility of a life on benefits even more likely.

I was not trying to be irresponsible and believe that not giving alternative options is what is irresponsible in this case...the OP is 'struggling' and only he/she knows how hard that is.

I doubt very much free education would be high priority for someone struggling with anxiety and depression...better surely to try and resolve the MH issues now...then perhaps face the serious consequences of untreated mental illness for the sake of 1 years free education...and if that means deferring education and claiming short term benefits then so be it.

Only the OP knows how much he/she is struggling and sometimes with mental health issues one more day is too much...never mind one more year.

To suggest that someone neglects their needs by continuing down a path, they by their own admission are struggling with is irresponsible and after what I would think would be approximately 13 years of study...perhaps a break of 1 year and time to focus on better mental health would be more beneficial, at this point, than another year of study...free or not.

PippaGirl_2

From someone involved in the mental health field it is better for someone to try and remain in education and/or employment, dropping out often brings about a whole set of anxieties and or dependence that are far more difficult to overcome. Sometimes dropping out is the only option, but it really should be the last resort. Therefore better to explore avenues of support to continue the course here first and foremost.

Anny_2

PippaGirl wrote: »

From someone involved in the mental health field it is better for someone to try and remain in education and/or employment, dropping out often brings about a whole set of anxieties and or dependence that are far more difficult to overcome. Sometimes dropping out is the only option, but it really should be the last resort. Therefore better to explore avenues of support to continue the course here first and foremost.

I have no doubt it is better to try to remain in education or employment when able to, but if someone is 'struggling' and 'only just managing' and posting on a forum saying that, and also that they 'know you can get benefits for mental health'...then I feel they should be given the support and information asked for...if they were asking for support to continue in education...then that should be given, but they do not seem to be asking for that.


It is easy to say what the OP should try to do...or indeed should do...and only the OP knows if continuing at college is feasible for him/her...but needing to do that or only doing that to get £20 per week in the face of what appear to be long standing mental health issues is in no way ideal is it?


I am sure, depending on the severity of the mental illness...that someone could, with medical and academic support, continue studying... but only the OP knows if that is possible for them.

Dunroamin

Anny wrote: »

It is easy to say what the OP should try to do...or indeed should do...and only the OP knows if continuing at college is feasible for him/her...but needing to do that or only doing that to get £20 per week in the face of what appear to be long standing mental health issues is in no way ideal is it?

.

But it's not just a question of £20 per week. Once the OP is 19 she may well have to pay for any course she wants to do and finding £1,000 or more for course fees is going to do her MH no good whatsoever; neither will looking for work with no qualifications and facing the possibility of life on benefits.

Muttleythefrog

Dunroamin wrote: »

But it's not just a question of £20 per week. Once the OP is 19 she may well have to pay for any course she wants to do and finding £1,000 or more for course fees is going to do her MH no good whatsoever; neither will looking for work with no qualifications and facing the possibility of life on benefits.

As above... it's something that'll have be factored in... difficult to make long term determinations when you might wonder if you'll make it to the next day at all. When I was last in college I was working and they were paying for it day release. Due to depression I was really struggling to cope with both so quit work.. that meant I had to fork out for fees and I managed to hang in there and stumble across the finishing line of my course.. looking back I've no idea what course of action would have been best. The college course proved useful in gaining my next job and a future one too.. both which I also quit due to MH problems..so double edged sword.. my apparently sensible approach just made me more ill. So it really is impossible to determine. I would strongly recommend the Op takes all the medical/occupational advice she can get... and try to hold down this course if possible while trying to forget about issues of work that are not yet directly being faced. There is the possibility of sickness benefits but it hasn't come to that yet and hopefully will not.

Moodgym above could be helpful. Try to keep active - if needs be maintain small number of friends that you can engage regularly rather than lots of acquaintances for which contact may typically be low quality... it's important in my view that you retain a sense of true engagement in the face of illness that may lead to construction of weak and superficial bonds that long term could be damaging. Get along to GP and try to build a good relationship with them and find out what treatment is available and services you could be referred on for.. or if you already have been referred on. You're only 18 so the future is well worth fighting for.