Support group success - Mental illness

Great news Mel! Well done!!!!

thank you mel, that means a lot

martin

mel

i was hospitalised 7 times between 2005 & 2007 with suicide attempts. i included this info on my ESA50. because i have not self harmed in the last 4 yrs they obviously think im better. yes this is a good thing i havent but getting forced onto the work programme i fear will push me back into crisis & im terrified of the consequences. even my psychiatrist keeps asking me if iv thought about going back to work. the last time i tried i was found by the police in a hotel trying to jump from the 7th floor window. i almost feel they are trying to force us all to these extremes, its one way of not paying us benefit!

martin

Many a true word spoken in jest.

greeneyedlad wrote:

mel

i was hospitalised 7 times between 2005 & 2007 with suicide attempts. i included this info on my ESA50. because i have not self harmed in the last 4 yrs they obviously think im better. yes this is a good thing i havent but getting forced onto the work programme i fear will push me back into crisis & im terrified of the consequences. even my psychiatrist keeps asking me if iv thought about going back to work. the last time i tried i was found by the police in a hotel trying to jump from the 7th floor window. i almost feel they are trying to force us all to these extremes, its one way of not paying us benefit!

martin

Martin, if you go to the orange members only section and look up 'Understanding Employment and Support Allowance' you will see that you certainly qualify for 2 of the following descriptors (I would have thought)

12. Coping with change
(a) Cannot cope with any change, due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder, to
the extent that day to day life cannot be managed.
13. Coping with social engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental
disorder
Engagement in social contact is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others
or significant distress experienced by the individual.

The fact that your CPN said he/she could not help you because you were just not able to leave the house demonstrates how limiting your illness is. Did they write to you to explain this? If so, have you a copy letter. Did your GP refer you to the first access team to assess you? If not, can you change to a more sympathetic GP? From what you have said, I assume that the above descriptors do apply to you?

Best wishes, Melx

Martin.

I don't know how liberally the exceptional circumstances criteria is applied in reality, but from your description - that certainly may well also apply to you.

Have you considered getting in touch with Mind? They are always interested in hearing people's stories to inform their campaign work and are very concerned about people being pushed to crisis point due to welfare reform changes.

Best wishes