keeping it hidden from services for your job?

Wellingtons · 23-09-2009, 03:19 AM

I want to be employed in a very high profile job in intelligence, entering police force to MI5 and MI6. You NEED to be completely MH and general health ok. I have spoken to recruitment, they can't discriminate, but you need to pass a medical and have supporting evidence from their own and your own psych. I was quoted 5 years health service free.

I am on lithium, I am fine. But I still want to cut and mess myself up a bit. I have been pretty messed up in the past, with many IP admittances, a police caution and serious diagnosis on my charts (bipolar I manic type).

I NEED to stay out of services, for the time being I can see my uni counsellor, but after this year, I need to stay under the radar.

How do other people keep their MH issues hidden from their employers? Or at least, how do they deal with issues outside of services?

ThinkingofRecovery · 23-09-2009, 03:50 AM

I'm not wanting to be offensive but reality here needs to be taken into account. When I was at a top university, I was an officer cadet, considered going into the forces, perhaps intelligence etc. It would never have been possible. I qualified as lawyer and was great as that but my mh problems plagued me and broke me down to this.

You are really going to struggle to convince such agencies that you are well enough and stable enough even if you were free of sh and other problems.

You are fooling yourself if you think you can hide such things from government agencies. As I said, I was in the army and would never be allowed back despite me being a good officer cadet, going on exchanges, representing the British Army.

My housemate is waiting to enter police training but my problems have created an extra barrier for her - just an association with people who have problems is an issue.

It sounds harsh but you need to get your self well and for a very long time before you even consider applying for such roles.

What else would you like to do?
xxx

Sigma · 23-09-2009, 07:53 AM

^ agree that I don't think it's possible to hide it to that extent. Also, I don't think it will be good for you to have to hide it, living a 'double life' is going to add more stress and at the same time you're avoiding getting the help you need.

I know that's hard when you have a direction you want to go in. Perhaps one day you will be well enough, but I think that will only happen if you focus on getting well (and accessing the services you need) instead of oretending to be well.

In the meantime, what other things interest you? Getting involved in things (job/studies/whatever) that you enjoy and give you a sense of purpose will help you get well, get involved and see where it takes you. That may be in intelligence work in future, or you may find other things that meet what you're looking for in your work.

I used to think if I could be 'well' enough to cope with the studies I'd like to be a doctor - having got involved in all sorts of other things while 'getting well' (still not there completely!) I have ended up in a job I love and would not want to swap for anything else, including (especially!) medicine. This is a far better 'fit' with who I am, it's challenging and fulfilling, I don't have to pretend to be anyone else. But I only found out jobs like this existed by trying things out and getting involved.

x-dying-inside-x · 23-09-2009, 12:07 PM

Hunny i wouldn't try and hide it because you might feel worse than if you have the support of a mental health team.
I know for me to go uni i need to show i've been willing to have treatment and that i'm feeling better. Without that i can't go uni to do my degree.
You need to put yourself first get better and then go for it!
xxx

sherlock holmes · 23-09-2009, 01:29 PM

It's not a good idea to hide it. There are reasons why you need to be well before you can have such a job. I doubt you'd be able to hide it well enough anyway. It will come out eventually and you may end up losing your job.

Just try to get better, waiting a couple of years isnt too long.

Aubergine · 23-09-2009, 04:31 PM

I don't hide my MH issues from employers. I tried, but I became ill and it was blindingly obvious that I was not well.

You won't be able to hide things, especially if you're wanting to go into MI5/MI6. They will know everything. My step-bro applied for a job with GCHQ and they do checks on you, and also on your family (lucky him with me hanging around ;)) and close associates.

Have you ever had a psychotic experience when you've been manic? If you have, it's a possibility that that could rule you out right away. I know someone who got refused a place in the army because they had a history of psychosis, even though it was a single episode that had happened 7 years previous to his application.

They can't descriminate, no, but they can refuse to employ you if you're considered unfit to perform your duties. They have to take things into consideration, especially in a job like that where national security would be an issue.

Aubergine · 23-09-2009, 04:41 PM

Just found the following on the GCHQ website:

If, after your job interviews you are offered work, you will be asked to undertake a medical examination, and to enter what we call the ‘Developed Vetting’ process. This takes, on average, about nine months to complete. You will be visited by a Vetting Officer who will conduct a detailed interview covering your character, family history and personal circumstances. They might even interview family members and work colleagues as part of this process.
You may not hear much from us during the vetting process, but you can be confident we’ll be working behind the scenes on your behalf.
Note: In order to obtain Developed Vetting Security Clearance, you must be 18 or over at the time of entry, and it’s unlikely you will pass this process if you:

Have used Class A drugs (e.g. ecstasy, cocaine, etc) in the last 12 months.
Have used Class B/C drugs (e.g. amphetamines, cannabis, etc) in the last 6 months.
Are currently being treated for an addiction (e.g. alcohol, gambling, etc) or have received such treatment in the last 12 months.
Have ever suffered from manic depression or schizophrenia.
Are currently bankrupt or the subject of an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA).

I assume all of the other intelligence agencies would follow the same criteria.

I'm not trying to be mean, or discourage you, but I would hate for you to get your hopes up only for you to be disappointed.

*Hug*

The Hierophant · 23-09-2009, 06:00 PM

I'm currently hiding my mental health issues from work. & it's not easy, i have never lied to my employers, but i have never admitted anything willingly, periods of absence from previous jobs have been carefully re-worded so it looks like i was busy with uni.

It's been a lot of hassle, i have a very strict diet/sleep/exercise pattern i have to stick to religiously so i can skip my meds three times a week to be able to complete a shift. It's extremely tiring for me.

It's reaching the point where i think i'm ready to tell my line-manager as it's impacting on everything & when i go for my personal license i'm going to have to declare police sections because they come up on in depth CRB checks.

& you need to remember that, if you have been on a 136 or had police called while you're in hospital it will show up for the next 10 years on a CRB check & the government will do one.

HopeRises · 23-09-2009, 09:01 PM

It really isn't worth it.
I didn't declare Mental health problems in one of my jobs (they didn't actually ask to be totally honest) but anyways, something happened which was due to medication sideaffect and I had a disiplinary and my contract got terminated. Had I declared that I suffered MH problems and was on meds then they wouldn't have been allowed to terminate my contract (they actually said this to me-had I declared it, I probably wouldn't have been employed by them either though)
It really isn't worth it.

Hollz · 24-09-2009, 09:52 PM

I want to join the police, hav spoken at legnth to recruitment and its not going to happen for a few years now, even though if i could of proved i was stable i had a chance, but because of my bpd, i am impulsive, was addicted to gambling and got into bad debt, so i cant join for fiancial reasons, got to wait 6 years from now

I will be 29 then and will still wanna join, hopefully be more stable mentally by then, free from debts and trust deeds and at the moment, i am studying criminolgy and will hopefully have my degree when the time is right

they will need you to be open and honest, but you are quite right to apply and if you prove to them you are stable then you are in with a chance you know, so good luck x

24-09-2009, 10:49 PM

I think it's horrible that they can discriminate like that, but it is true. You will have difficulty hiding it. I think it depends on what you want. Do you want to risk hiding it and them finding out yet getting it right now or do you want to wait until you don't have to hide stuff or do you want to go another route? it all depends on what you want to risk really.

Wellingtons · 24-09-2009, 11:09 PM

Oh my god, I was so drunk when I wrote this, so I just want people to know that, lol!

I am wanting to go into the police and intelligence, though :) your replies are very thoughtful, thank you! I'll have a good read and think.

Wellingtons · 24-09-2009, 11:11 PM

Oh, my boyfriend is a police officer and he had to include me and my history in his application. He's asked the recruitment person (I've forgotten the word!) who says they can't discriminate under the new mental health act, and you need to be 5 years free from cautions, and they will need a letter of your fitness to work from your GP/psychiatrist, plus might get you to see their own/an independent one.

Sigma · 26-09-2009, 07:51 PM

they can't discriminate, but your fitness (mental and physical) can be part of a person specification if it's a genuine occupational requirement, just as they can specify sex/race if it's a genuine occ requirement (e.g. having to be female to work in a Woman's Refuge)

rosycheek · 31-01-2011, 02:06 AM

Just to let you know that I am currently being treated for bipolar type II, and was totally honest with the vetting process, and managed to keep my developed vetting status.
Therefore, be honest and accept the consequences. If you are honest, you will feel less stressed and will not be looking over your shoulder.
I did struggle with the initial disclosure, but despite what the forms may say, rules are there to be considered, not followed to the letter.
My history includes 3 inpatient stays and several relapses, over 10 years.

J.Greens · 02-02-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tokoloshe

^ agree that I don't think it's possible to hide it to that extent. Also, I don't think it will be good for you to have to hide it, living a 'double life' is going to add more stress and at the same time you're avoiding getting the help you need.

Although the question has been answered, I can say that it's possible to live a 'double life' and stay under the radar. I've done it for the past ten years. People probably suspect, but my record says clear. Obviously, I don't have any access to the contacts you do, because I haven't come forward about my MH and until the time where I can disclose it without going on-the-record I'll keep schtum. I'll keep waiting though.

So it is possible, but you're already on record...