Benefits available for mentally unwell friend?

tomtontom

kitrat wrote: »

They know about the OCD I just want her to bring up the fact it is a disability (On gov website https://www.gov.uk/when-mental-health-condition-becomes-disability), combined with depression and stress it is affecting her severely, she has been suicidal. She is on a waiting list to see a psychologist but it's 1yr long

I don't know what her last involvement with occy health was but maybe it calls for another meeting.

The listed conditions on that site are examples of what may be considered disabilities, not that definitely will be. No mental health conditions are automatically covered under the EqAct, they need to fulfil the definition of disability.

When dealing with HR etc I would be careful stating something as fact rather than opinion. "OCD is a disability" is not always true. "I believe that in x's case her OCD, combined with her depression, would amount to a disability" is more accurate.

kitrat

tomtontom wrote: »

The listed conditions on that site are examples of what may be considered disabilities, not that definitely will be. No mental health conditions are automatically covered under the EqAct, they need to fulfil the definition of disability.

When dealing with HR etc I would be careful stating something as fact rather than opinion. "OCD is a disability" is not always true. "I believe that in x's case her OCD, combined with her depression, would amount to a disability" is more accurate.

Good point, thanks

kitrat

beecher2 wrote: »

It's not awful at all and there's also a fairly strong argument against getting that involved in something which you can't solve. I suppose all you can do is suggest a union rep, suggest taking bullet points in, and suggest a visit to Citizens Advice if she does decide to resign. I've been in similar situations where I've given advice which has then been ignored, and it can become difficult to deal with.

Thank you it's hard to know how far to step in, until now I've simply listened but as I've become more aware of the lack of help she's getting from some other people I thought maybe I ought to be a bit more proactive.

It's hard to know how forward to be as well, like I'd love to go in there and just demand to know how HR can justify being so useless but obviously that's not very constructive but maybe a slight nudge to get them to communicate better would be a good thing. I'm sure there's a solution here somewhere but it's just trying to get her to give them all the details too, without being pushed over by them as well.

Who knows, maybe they'll come to this meeting with a plan for her to move teams and maybe they'll be receptive to part time. Who knows, just have to hope at this point.

FBaby

I think it is time that your friend decide what it is she wants to do and start taking some onus for her future. She might not see it, but she is actually extremely lucky to be working for the NHS and to have been receiving 6 months full pay and now still entitled to 6 months half pay. Surely she has to understand that the NHS (tax payers) can't continue to pay her a good salary eternally for no output.

OCD on its own means nothing. Firstly there are different level of severity. Some people can't get out of their house, some have learnt ways to cope with it. Also, there is a difference with an obsession about washing your hands and an issue with things being in the right order. Ultimately, she would need to adjust thing at work as she does at home and this is what she needs to discuss with her OT.

Alternatively, it might be time to start looking for another job that she can cope with. 6 months is not a short time to deal with such issues and as a matter of fact, evidence shows that the longer sufferers take to deal with their issues, the harder it becomes to go back to a normal life.

ohreally

Your friend can make a self referral to occupational health, she should consider this.

Phased return would be paid for from her A/L entitlement.

Is she a union member?

NeilCr

If you can get her to agree to someone going with her that would be really good. If, for no other reason than to be there for her and to be a "note taker" of what has happened.

Could be worth you giving the ACAS helpline a ring. They will have knowledge of these situations, whether or not the procedures are being followed correctly and possible outcomes

Mrs_Ryan

As regards the SSP, I worked for the NHS and was off sick for a long time. I was paid 6 months full pay but because of previous sick leave my SSP ran out before my full pay did. I claimed Conts ESA alongside my pay. Also if she has any annual leave she may be able to use that up. I had 28 days leave paid to me- ie a full months pay while I was still off sick.