Job center and mental health

System

I think the Op should use the time she has got on esa (who knows..she may pass the assessment) as time to focus on recovery. You do sometiems have to push for help, and i know services are being cut but hopefuly there is some help avaliable. I accept some people may not ever be able to work, but some just need time to recover. I was on esa for 3 years due to MH problems, but i used that time to recover (in my case finding the right medication regime, learning how to manage my illness/know the warning signs of relapse,learning how to cope with stress) have gotten now to the point where i can work part time. And i hope to work my way up to full time (though i'm wary as the last time i did i had a breakdown and know i have to take this one step at a time), but i know very lucky in that i was given the help i needed when i needed it in the form of esa and also healthcare, and that some people are not as fortunate. hough i beleive everyone should be given the chance to try and live as normal a life as possible and the help they need to do so.

adpod

dktreesea wrote: »

A small number? Really?

In 2012, 13 million work days were lost as a result of work-related stress, depression & anxiety (source: CIPD Annual Survey report 2012).

According to the Telegraph in an article posted late last year, 1.1 million people can't work because of mentla health problems. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/neilobrien1/100186974/the-remarkable-rise-of-mental-illness-in-britain/
I wouldn't call 1.1 million people of working age a small number.

13 million work days sounds like a lot but realistically it's a small number. How many of us have taken a week off work and self cert it as stress? How many job seekers claim for stress or other mental disability just to get out of looking for work?

dktreesea

adpod wrote: »

13 million work days sounds like a lot but realistically it's a small number. How many of us have taken a week off work and self cert it as stress? How many job seekers claim for stress or other mental disability just to get out of looking for work?

I would be surprised if a person could take a week off on sick leave and self cert, without any corroborating medical certificate from a doctor.

People in that situation are different to those who can't work due to mental health problems, because they are still at work. A person off work indefinitely due to stress is beyond that point. They can't cope with working. Yes they can look for work. They may even get work. But what's the point if they are not going to be able to cope once they are there and don't have any help and support, from mental health professionals, to support them through that time so they get a chance to learn how to cope and stay in work?

sammyjammy

Dunroamin wrote: »

Many jobs are tough, many jobs are unpleasant but they need doing and people need to work to support themselves.

And working in the Jobcentre can be one of them!

sammyjammy

dktreesea wrote: »

I would be surprised if a person could take a week off on sick leave and self cert, without any corroborating medical certificate from a doctor.

People in that situation are different to those who can't work due to mental health problems, because they are still at work. A person off work indefinitely due to stress is beyond that point. They can't cope with working. Yes they can look for work. They may even get work. But what's the point if they are not going to be able to cope once they are there and don't have any help and support, from mental health professionals, to support them through that time so they get a chance to learn how to cope and stay in work?

Thats the whole point of a self cert, you don't need a fit note until the 8th consecutive day.

Most stress at work is caused by specific factors in a specific workplace, bullying etc people move on and manage perfectly well. Some people are just predisposed to stress but you have to learn to manage it or resolve the issues causing it.

DomRavioli

Could be down to the fact that some MH issues (personality disorders - which have an incidence of 1%, or 600,000 people, or schizophrenia, Bipolar - the recognised "severe mental health issues") are severe enough to warrant prolonged removal from society.

~Chameleon~

Dunroamin wrote: »

Perhaps it's a ploy to claim ESA for schizophrenia?

I think you're mistaking schizophrenia for multiple personality disorder. Schizophrenia has nothing to do with having multiple personalities!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

personaly i think the OP is on a one way trip back to JSA.

lukieboy96

Being diagnosed with BPD or Emotionally Unstable Disorder is not a fun diagnosis. I was diagnosed nearly 7 years ago. It is only now that i am starting to become stable after many sections, overdosing, self harm. I would not wish anyone to have the diagnosis. I am hoping that at some point things will be better and i can eventually get back into work. I am under the Mental Health Team and have a CPN.

busy_mom_2

[QUOTE=dktreesea;61179931

And then there are the jobsworths at places like jobcentre plus. One of whom on a different thread, described herself as a "gym bunny" and referred to the obese as slobs. These kinds of people shouldn't be inflicted upon anyone, let alone vulnerable people.

[/QUOTE]

It was suggested I was an donut scoffing, coffee guzzling gossiping slob

Yes I am a gym bunny and exercise is clinically proven to support mental health issues and obese people are more likely to suffer from depression, health issues and anxiety. I suffered from post natal depression after my second child and going back to work and exercising certainly contributed to me getting better. Exercise plays a very big part in my families life style and we are all extremely healthy, eat healthy and very rarely ill.
So dktreesea if you are going to quote me do it in the correct context. I'm sorry to say that my job is to help people to help themselves i will not find a job for some-one. If a customer is claiming JSA then they are the ones who sign the declaration to say they are fit and able to work, if they are not they have the choice to claim ESA and face a medical. No-one is forced to do anything, they chose to claim benefits its comes with conditions. I, along with many others, cannot go to work and just do as I please and expect to get paid.
The OP hasn't worked for 4 years, she flits form benefit to benefit. Most people claiming JSA will state the lack of income and the boredom contributes to the depression. She will have been offered help she needs to take it and make efforts to improve her life.

I agree not all people are capable of full time work, the medical is saying they are capable of some work, they can do work experience, voluntary work anything to try to improve the skills and options along with their health.
I work full time, I do voluntary work I have two children, life is busy I have to cope to provide for my children and ensure they are bought up to see work pays. And no that does not mean I have spoilt children. We holiday every other year, have treats such as cinema when we have money but make time for parks, games, bike rides. Anything to keep motivated and happy.