FabSwingers.com forum: Mental Health Discrimination

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

How much mental health discrimination do you feel is still around? Or negative opinions held about people with mental health issues?

I feel there is still quite a bit, especially regarding certain conditions. Depression and bi-polar seem to get a lot of sympathy. But I've noticed less sympathy for conditions such as Schizpohrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Does anyone else notice this? If so what do you think needs to be done to give equal treatment across the board for all mental illnesses, not just a select few?

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By *ottie_84Woman
over a year ago

Nottingham

I've noticed there is still a big stigma around MH, it is sad that the stigma is still around

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

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By *ottie_84Woman
over a year ago

Nottingham

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

Hope the petition works! It is sad that the help that people need isn't readily available for those that need/want it

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

I hopw you succeed. Can that person take it to an employment tribunal at all? I understand if they feel unable to but it could be a route worth going.

Only way illness should lose you a job is if it makes you unable to do that job

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Interesting post. I think sometimes people are afraid of things they don't really understand.

For example depression is a well known condition which most people have come into contact with. Also people who have not suffered from depression will have experienced low mood or other components of depression during their lives so will be able to relate to it a little.

With psychosis, schizophrenia and the like a lot of people are ignorant or misinformed about the nature of the illness and so tend to not be as confident around the disease as they would with something more familiar like depression which can come and go.

That is how I see it anyway.

Mrs

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's far better than it was even 5 years ago.

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By *ELLONS AND CREAMWoman
over a year ago

stourbridge area

More awareness is needed .... via media

Also schools need to incorporate it and offer help and counselling...

Many children struggle with symptoms which dont always get picked up on , and at the other end of the scale , lots of children are living and caring for parents with little or no support

Mental health is a vast area to understand. ... and everyones needs are different .. ie autism has a spectrum which is also vast .

Anyone at some point in their lives can suffer in some form with a mental illness and not recognise the symptoms

Unfortunately social services are at breaking point due to cuts and not enough social workers/community nurses

... if you have a broken leg its a visible disability ... but mental health can go unoticed ... until crisis point ....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's far better than it was even 5 years ago."

With you on that one lib

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's far better than it was even 5 years ago.

With you on that one lib"

Same here. Better understanding, still some way to go, like every other well known discrimination pretty much.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Interesting post. I think sometimes people are afraid of things they don't really understand.

That is how I see it anyway.

Mrs"

I definetly agree there. Which is a shame cause I've met some schizophrenics and had no fear of them, even when they were psychotic.

Even with schizophrenia the vast majority of them are only a damger to themselves and not others

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Interesting post. I think sometimes people are afraid of things they don't really understand.

That is how I see it anyway.

Mrs

I definetly agree there. Which is a shame cause I've met some schizophrenics and had no fear of them, even when they were psychotic.

Even with schizophrenia the vast majority of them are only a damger to themselves and not others"

Lots of people are ill information about such conditions as schizophrenia

A lot think they are all homeless nutters walking round picking fag ends up talking to themselves

Schizophrenia is a manageable condition and in most cases you won't even know somebody has it and contrary to the beliefs of most jokes most schizophrenic'e don't talk to themselves

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

Yes there is still a stigma. According to another thread we should all be carrying knives, guns and "look" mentally ill.

However, its nearly 40 years since i was diagnosed in those days the layman had no bloody idea how to treat people. You where assumed to be violent and spoke about in hushed voices even the people that where ill didnt know anything or how to express and get people to understand.

We have come a hell of along way even in the last ten years the changes have been remarkable. Also many more are not so scared to approach people and ask about their condition. But sometimes its the mentally ill that can make it a taboo subject.

I hace the patience of a saint and will explain how my illness affects ne to those that will listen, but some people still have closed minds.

Im not sure depression and bipolar get more sympathy, its not symathy its understanding.

I have many symptoms with my bipolar obviously two are extreme lows and extreme highs. When im in a depression noone tells me to pull myself out of it yet when im high i get told to shut up, laughed at, told to calm down as though i have more control than when im depressed.

In conclusion, yes there is a stigma but we have come far.

In ten years time it will be even more different. Sadly things dont change over night and sadly there will always be ignorant people

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

Was the breakdown purely work related? If so while it's harsh it does raise am issue of capabilities and a number of occupational health concerns.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

Was the breakdown purely work related? If so while it's harsh it does raise am issue of capabilities and a number of occupational health concerns."

no she lost her husband a couple of years ago and has just not been coping

while i agree if she's had a break down shes clearly not fit for work but the woman has worked for them for over 30 years, i just wonder where compassion and humanity has gone that when somebody has given your company the best years of their lifes you just kick them out as soon as they are no good

personally i felt they could have done more, put her on the sick and offered her counseling to help her cope

sadly not everybody feels the same saving money by not paying sick seems more important that being loyal to your long serving staff now days

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

Was the breakdown purely work related? If so while it's harsh it does raise am issue of capabilities and a number of occupational health concerns.

no she lost her husband a couple of years ago and has just not been coping

personally i felt they could have done more, put her on the sick and offered her counseling to help her cope

sadly not everybody feels the same saving money by not paying sick seems more important that being loyal to your long serving staff now days "
did she not have any sick leave, what about her medical reports why didnt a doctor put her on the sick

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

I came across this fairly recently. I've suffered the worst PMT pretty much my entire adult life. I've pretty much tried everything to combat it but eventually I went to see my GP and she prescribed antidepressants. After a couple of weeks I started to feel better. I'm not on cloud nine, I don't have any noticeable side effects, I'm not high, I'm me again. I feel like myself. I'm not emotionally crippled at the drop of a hat. I don't feel anger. I'm not crabbit. I feel like I'm supposed to.

One of the girls at work walked in on a conversation about it and she was immediately scornful in her tone saying that doctors dish out pills too easily etc. I was actually quite taken aback. No wonder you're smiling, she said... taking happy pills etc.

The lack of any understanding in mental health of any sort became very apparent, very quickly.

I'm lucky, my problems are small compared to some but it doesn't make them disappear. We all have issues but don't criticise people for suffering depression or any other mental illness because you never know when that could be you. I never thought I'd suffer any sort of mental health issue but I do and I'm not ashamed of it. I take care of it because I can. Not everyone is so lucky and doesn't feel so able. I'm strong so I beat it down.

PMT is a force of nature and trust me, I'm pretty sure the majority of women would get shot of it if they could. Well I can and I did and if I'm on 'happy pills' forever then I'm ridiculously happy about that.

I guess I feel that people are ignorant about it because they have zero experience. You should never be made to feel inferior or bad about how you feel because in case you hadn't noticed, you can't actually help the way you truly feel. You can help yourself though. I do. Every day and it's much better to feel that the people in your life, whether they be loved ones or strangers, are supportive and not scornful.

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

Sorry... I waffled. I'm procrastinating in real life.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 19/06/16 13:54:58]

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Sorry... I waffled. I'm procrastinating in real life.

No need to apologise for waffling. I found it quite interesting.

I can kinda see the womans point about GPs and pills. Some seemnto hand them out at the slightest sign of a low mood. But yours sounds like a case where anti-depressants were the perfect solution andn I'm glad you're feeling better

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Has anyone read what happend to tragic jo cox? She was brutally murdered by jobless Thomas Mair he has a history of mental illness.in my opinion society failed him. Prehaps if the powers that be had intervened mrs cox would still be with us.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

Was the breakdown purely work related? If so while it's harsh it does raise am issue of capabilities and a number of occupational health concerns.

no she lost her husband a couple of years ago and has just not been coping

personally i felt they could have done more, put her on the sick and offered her counseling to help her cope

sadly not everybody feels the same saving money by not paying sick seems more important that being loyal to your long serving staff now days

did she not have any sick leave, what about her medical reports why didnt a doctor put her on the sick"

to be honest i have no idea of what was said between her and her doctor if anything at all

she never took any time off because she said she didnt want to be sat in the house alone she needed work to keep her ocupied

i think it all just got to much for her in the end

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Mental

Health is still frowned upon. I took what I would call a mini breakdown 2

Years ago. I had split from my wife,

Lost my family home and was under severe pressure in a be management job in a new company. I was hauled in for under performance. I explained my situation ref break up and at that point stated I was being treated for panic attacks and depression. I may as well have told my employers Nothing. They were as helpful as nothing. In this meeting I signed a document to say I was not meeting my objectives in work. I signed it as technically they were right. 2 days later i

Was pulled in and put on a performance improvement plan. That day I went for lunch alone gathered my thoughts and said fuck

It. I went into the office and told the manager to shove the job up her hole. I told her on front of 50 ppl that whilst being treated for depression, suffering a break up etc I was still being put under this pressure. Note this company are a charity. They are a social housing provider and provide homes for the elderly and needy. So that day i got me back. 3 days later k

Started a new job and explained all

My issues to my boss he understood and the only thing he asked was I

Was truthful. 2 years on I still smile at that day and think we'll done me. But thankfully my mental health issue

Was a temp one triggered by a few major life issues. Keep the head up

Folks not all ppl are so dismissive of mental

Health Issues X

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Has anyone read what happend to tragic jo cox? She was brutally murdered by jobless Thomas Mair he has a history of mental illness.in my opinion society failed him. Prehaps if the powers that be had intervened mrs cox would still be with us."

do you think?

so its not his fault he took that womans life?

million of people suffer with mental illnesses they dont kill people

As far as i have read he suffered with depression, depression isnt a ilness thats known to make you kill people

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

My personal opinion is that too many people still see Mental Illness as something one can snap out of. The 'mental' element meaning it's all in your head, so you can stop it if you really want to.

Mental illness is a real illness. I hear people being negative about anti depressants and other mind drugs but they'd happily expect anyone with cancer to accept chemo etc.

It's the same thing!

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

I work for the NHS, go figure that one, we have a petition going round our section at the moment trying to get her job back, I think of we push it at further we may all be out of a job

It's ridiculous though if the NHS can't even be understanding of mental health issues how can we expect other companies to be?

Your allowed to be I'll unless you work for us

Was the breakdown purely work related? If so while it's harsh it does raise am issue of capabilities and a number of occupational health concerns.

no she lost her husband a couple of years ago and has just not been coping

personally i felt they could have done more, put her on the sick and offered her counseling to help her cope

sadly not everybody feels the same saving money by not paying sick seems more important that being loyal to your long serving staff now days

did she not have any sick leave, what about her medical reports why didnt a doctor put her on the sick

to be honest i have no idea of what was said between her and her doctor if anything at all

she never took any time off because she said she didnt want to be sat in the house alone she needed work to keep her ocupied

i think it all just got to much for her in the end "
so you actually dont really know any details.

Im not having a go at you nn but this is what can cause stigma. Your saying she was dismissed for having a breakdown but we dont actually know why. So are the nhs being discriminate or did the lady in question have certain guidelines to follow and didnt

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"As far as i have read he suffered with depression, depression isnt a ilness thats known to make you kill people"

This highlights another issue, mental illness comes in all kinds of forms. He may not have had depression, it could have been something more serious or a combination of things.

If he was a known danger to himself and/or others, for whatever reason, then something has failed. If he was not classed as a dangerous person then he's a simple murderer.

In my opinion.

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down"

A 'breakdown' is an unspecified thing. Was mental illness actually involved?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

you know in physiatric units now they actually give self harmers clean blades to cut themselves with

the idea behind it is giving them the option and letting them chose

its like anything of you take the ability away to do something you have no choice, like bulimics, you put them in a situation where they have to eat and keep it down they will but as soon as they get home they will start again, same with self harmers they will cut when they get home, so the idea is getting them to the point where they decide for themselves not to harm before they get home in an enviroment where the blades are clean and they get medical help, its sounds bizzar i know but it does actually help

i still today think a lot see such people as attention seekers

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I work with adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues I'm still astounded at how people behave. Staring laughing and avoiding

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"i still today think a lot see such people as attention seekers "

You're right, sadly.

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By *uby0000Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

its improved from years back but still not enough understanding

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

A 'breakdown' is an unspecified thing. Was mental illness actually involved?"

thats hard for me to say

i dont even know if she had ever been to see a doctor if the truth be told

all we know is what we were told when she left and that was she had been dismissed due to her having a break down, she wasnt fit for work so they have had to let her go

i personally just found it a little harsh, maybe im just to soft

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

"I have a work colleague who has just been struck off for having a break down

A 'breakdown' is an unspecified thing. Was mental illness actually involved?

thats hard for me to say

i dont even know if she had ever been to see a doctor if the truth be told

all we know is what we were told when she left and that was she had been dismissed due to her having a break down, she wasnt fit for work so they have had to let her go

i personally just found it a little harsh, maytbe im just to soft

"
who told you?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"How much mental health discrimination do you feel is still around? Or negative opinions held about people with mental health issues?

Does anyone else notice this? If so what do you think needs to be done to give equal treatment across the board for all mental illnesses, not just a select few?"

We were in two minds about it but then had a word with ourselves (well an argument... Now we aren't talking ) and decided you're all nuts .

Can we have the yellow ones next time please? The blue ones tickle.

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By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

the more positive role models will eventually shift the sand, people who open up about how they have owned their mental wellbeing and driven their recovery. Living with it is hard, not always getting the level of support but ultimately, it's up to the person to change it. Coping strategies do help and the correct medication and exercise, life can be great.

I wish people well in their journey

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By *emmefataleWoman
over a year ago

dirtybigbadsgirlville

Its still rife unfortunately, mostly due to stereotypical reporting by media, sensationalism and poor education.

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