RAF/GP effected by self harm scars?

[Imamotherfudgingpirate]

Hi,

So I was looking around le internet, and I saw mixed feedback from what was said.
Basically I am (nearly) 16, and my arms are obviously pretty much covered in scars from shoulder to wrist (on both arms), as I want to be a medical officer in the RAF (at least temporarily), I wanted to know if having these scars, and having a record of self harm (I receive counselling and I had seen my GP about it - so it may be on medical records, I'm not sure o.o), but yeah, I wanted to know if this means that my application would be rejected or effected at all by this?

Also would I be effected/rejected from a job as a GP with my arms? :c

I appreciate any feedback, thanks for reading:3

Much love and all the best xxx

[FabulousMike]

I don't know about becoming a GP, but I know the military does look down on it, so to speak. I don't think you'll be able to get into the RAF or any other branch of the military (I don't know about civilian areas).

But your best bet is to go into a recruitment office and ask there.

I'm doubtful though.

[talaiporia]

As for GP, if you can prove you're stable, it should be okay (thought you need to see occupational health and jump through some hoops).

RAF *may* be more strict. I was interested in joining the MOD a few years back (engineering) and noticed that *some* people had trouble with MH history (obviously, it was quite a few years ago, and I never followed through with it).

Whichever you decide to do, it will probably be necessary to prove that you're stable, and your job will not worsen your MH.

[Imamotherfudgingpirate]

Yeah, I found it on the RAF site, they said something like "only one episode", maybe I'll pop down Swansea soon and check it out at the recruitments office c:

Ahh ok c: at least the GP option is still there, some were saying as long as your 3 years free, and that it depends on how the RAF doctor examining you decides whether you're healthy or not and stuff.

But thanks for the feedback c:

[Gone.]

I think that, with becoming a GP, you've got to have been stable for X amount of years - might be three, might be five, I'm not entirely sure. Negotiate with Occupational Health and make sure that you engage in the support to have you feeling better and healthier again. It'll be looked upon more favourably if you do take all the help offered.

As for the RAF, I'm not sure. I know that they aren't exactly keen on it. It might show that you cannot cope as well in the stressful situations that could be thrown your way. Could you go to a careers advice place and talk it through? You might have to show that you've been stable for a while.

[Imamotherfudgingpirate]

Ok, thanks:3

[happiness...its all a lie]

Im not sure about RAF, but with the GP i think as others have said depends on how stable you are etc but if you get the relevant qualifications i cant see why not - everyone has a past of some kind. Also with the GP thing they may ask you to wear long sleeves to cover your arms but im only guessing as my bf has to wear long sleeves to cover tattoos but he works in retail.

[snailonvalium]

I don't know about the raf but i know two people with mh problems who chose to go into medicine,the first took a year out mid training to go ip for anorexia and she's now a fully qualified gp,the other is still training to be a doctor and has been in and out of ip for depression/anorexia since '06 and she's still allowed to continue....so there is hope x

[Imamotherfudgingpirate]

Thanks, that's really helpful:3 (and brilliant, pure brilliance :D )

[Lizzie87]

i don't know about the medical field, but i'm training to be a counselor and no one has mentioned my arms.

i think the military is different though. i can't remember exactly, but i looked into it a few years ago, and i don't think they take on people who are mentally unstable. i might be remembering that wrong though.

[rachelxo]

Don't have much massively useful insight or anything, but just to say a good friend of mine had struggled with SH/ED/depression in his past, and now has an offer to study medicine in September so it definitely is possible! :)

[-Carpe Diem]

I applied to be a medical officer in the RAF earlier this year and got rejected at the medicl checks stage.

You have to prove via your medical records that you are AT LEAST 3 years free from ANY self-harming behaviour AND self-harming thoughts. And even if you manage that, it's unlikely they'll accept you because of the extent of your scaring. To them it suggests a large problem being able to cope with stress.

But, it's taken on an individual basis. So you might have a chance. I'd still apply, even if you get told to re-apply in 3 years :)

[It will be on your medical records]

Studying Medicine will be incredibly stressful and when you apply, I strongly suggest putting depression/anxiety o your UCAS form (That wil make more sense when you actually apply :P) because then the uni's you apply to should comtact you aout how thy can bext help and support you. They will send you an occupational health questionaire which they can reject you on because they could deem you unfit to practice. Unlikely if you're not actively self-harming, but yea.

Hope this helped.

[Imperfect.Star]

I'm just about to qualify as a doctor despite 5 years of self harm. Admittedly it wasn't a problem I had when applying for medicine and it has created some difficulties throughout my training but I've done it. The biggest hurdle is getting registration with the general medical council as this requires you to be 'fit to practice' but that's not something you have to deal with until you qualify. When applying for medschool just be honest. If your problems are in the past and you have dealt with them then they shouldn't stop you from doing medicine.

[Charmed]

Hey there,

I don't know much about becoming a GP but as far as I'm aware you have to prove to be free from thoughts and acts of all self harm and depression for 3 years as others have said.

Unfortunately the RAF have strict restrictions to get in, I was rejected due to my self harm and have researched the internet for all the forces. On the RAF website it states one cannot join if one has had "More than one episode of deliberate self-harm of any type". The other restrictions can be found http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/rafcms...A28D2D8DAE.pdf on their pdf file.

However I think they make allowances for specific people so as others have said, you should try and apply anyway and see what happens :) Good luck.

[Imamotherfudgingpirate]

Thanks guys ^.^
I really appreciate all you feedback:3
Yeah, I'd looked at the site before I tried to ask here xD
3 years free, hurr that may be problematic, I'll only be 2 years or so free by time I want to apply, (cause I want to get a medical sponsorship)
but never mind >.<
Thanks again c:

[Aardbei]

My old GP used to self-harm so it obviously wasn't an issue for her - she told me in an attempt to make me see that things can get better, which was lovely of her, but probably not allowed! My point is though that it shouldn't hold you back as long as you're stable. Good luck x

[Imamotherfudgingpirate]

That was really lovely of her:3
Thank you:3 x