Paranoid Schizophrenia and ESA

choogle wrote:

Was reading something yesterday that stated that 33% of the people on IB are there because of mental health or behavioural problems.

However, if that 33% were to be exempted then the oft-mooted stats we've been seeing bandied about in the media of late would need to be significantly revised.

So far as I am aware, there's no suggestion that all people with MI would be exempt the WCA, only those with severe mental illness that are exempt the PCA for IB.

I tend to say if meeting someone new and the subject what do you do crops up,say I'm in mental health!! true in the fact i have had a long career alot of years in the field of mental health and since being of "sick" i have done voluntary work and service user consultancy in mental health. Last week was talking with someone at the bus stop and i said i was just between jobs just didn't mention it was 8 years, always a difficult one. thing to remember (and i don't always) is never be ashamed of who you are.
Carole

choogle wrote:

Was reading something yesterday that stated that 33% of the people on IB are there because of mental health or behavioural problems.

However, if that 33% were to be exempted then the oft-mooted stats we've been seeing bandied about in the media of late would need to be significantly revised.

The exemption in question relates to severe mental illness, not to all mental illness. For details of the existing exemption for IB as opposed to the proposed one for ESA, see p6 of the guide to claims for IB on mental health grounds. (Link via home page.)

So far as I am aware, there's no suggestion that all people with MI would be exempt the WCA, only those with severe mental illness that are exempt the PCA for IB.

I'm not aware of reading anything in recent months that even hints that those exempt from the PCA on severe mental health grounds may also be exempted from the WCA.

This is one of the things that has been bothering me, and also relates to the initial post in this thread. If you are aware of any particular statement by DWP or government ministers on this matter it would be good if you could provide a link? I think there's a lot of people who are wanting clarity on this issue. What is classed as severe mental health nowadays?

I have worked in mental health for 20 years now, severe mental illness used to be depression, bi polar, schizophrenia, anxiety, etc even the worried well could get help. Now it leans very much to schizophrenia, manic depression , severe depression (cannot be mild or moderate)or personality disorder. There is little scope inside an acute hospital environment to deal with any other type of mental illness. All other psychiatric illness is treated through the GP and other community based services. I imagine the DWP will follow this.

mairit wrote:
His social worker says not to worry (lol) his background is well documented...............[/quote]
Im not sure (anymore) that this reassurance will hold in todays climate. (I would check out his section 117 discharge from hospital and having an appointed social worker or cpn is a positive in this case) If the person has been 'well' on medication in the community (mentally only i cant comment on his physical needs)and more often, medication even depot injections are done at the GP surgery then he may be deemed well enough for work. He would have to relapse and have admission to be classed as acute. Many people with cronic schizophrenia can function 'normally' within society and it appears that individuality and cronic illness is no longer a consideration by this gvment.