I was just thinking today what happens if you have a full time job which is 9-5 every week day, does that mean you can't get mental health help. Most mental health workers work pretty much 9-5 on the weekdays don't they? It makes me worried that if/when I get a job I wont be able to have professional support.
I've wondered this too... but to my understanding it's still possible, a lot of work places are willing to work around medical appointments and even if not there is the option of private healrthcare which often has options for appointments outside the usual 9-5 a lot of NHS places have one day a week for late night appointments too
Any good employer will negotiate with you reasonable adjustments, providing that your diagnosis comes under the conditions covered by the Equality Act [used to be Disability Discrimination Act]. One of the adjustments might be that you are allowed appointments in work time. Myself, I work part time [28 hours per week] and have fixed hours worked around my appointment times so that I don't miss any work unless things are rarely shifted for some reason.
Ah I always assumed it was a bad idea to let your boss know you have mental health problems though. I hope that where im getting help when I get a job offers late night appointments than.
I got more severely ill and diagnosed when I was a year into post, so my situation is slightly different. But see if there's a disabilities rep or similar who you can refer to. Or if they have a workplace employee assistance programme.
Some (most) outpatient clinics will see your in a weekend or evening appointments.
As for treatment, you need to talk to your team and they will discuss your options. There are options available for thoes who work 9-5.
Xxx
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
I dont actually have a job yet im still at uni, I was just wondering if i wouldnt be allowed help once i left uni and got a job (hopefully next summer). Its nice to know that wont happen.
I used to see people at the very start of the day so 9 am which meant I was in work for 10:30 at the latest and then had a short lunch break a few times to make up for it or just worked a bit later!
Talk to them and see what compromise you can come up with.
When we lose twenty pounds... we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have! We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty. ~Woody Allen
Is a chocolate muffin loving glitter ball
i work in a school. its a nightmare to get appointments to fit around work. ive just returned after a year off sick and am now on a final written warning. all requests for time off for appointments have to be approved by the governors and we lose half a days pay, even if back in work by say 9.30, or if wanting to leave 10 mins early. at the moment i have had to not work fridays to fit in counselling and cpn appointments, but this has only been granted until Nov, then im due to return to 5 days a week. i work 8 til 4 and my appointments are a min of 40 mins away, whoever i see and all my preofessionals work 9 til 5, mon-fri, so is a nightmare.
Qualified Peer Support Worker (2017)
current mental health diagnoses: depression, PTSD, GAD, self harm, bpd
current meds (as at Feb 2017): , thyroxine, metformin, iron, b12, vit d, atenolol, Butec, Naproxen, Nefopam, Lanzoprazole, Bupropion, quetiapine (prn)
Have you been to OH to say that your appointments are a reasonable adjustment? Teachers in state schools get PPA, so can they not let you use that time? I suggest you contact the equality and human rights commission for specialised advice.
i have seen OH twice. im a teaching assistant, not a teacher so we dont get ppa time. i had a union rep at all my welfare meetings and she said they were following all procedures correctly.
Qualified Peer Support Worker (2017)
current mental health diagnoses: depression, PTSD, GAD, self harm, bpd
current meds (as at Feb 2017): , thyroxine, metformin, iron, b12, vit d, atenolol, Butec, Naproxen, Nefopam, Lanzoprazole, Bupropion, quetiapine (prn)
Unions rarely have the specialised advice necessary for disability discrimination. Please ring the EHRC as they are brilliant. I believe you are legally entitled to attend appointments that are disability related (unpaid) so therefore they could be guilty of discrimination and you could have a case for an employment tribunal.
They have to prove that you are unable to work without reasonable adjustments in place etc. My last employer was less than nice about my disability so I took them to court. Whilst my union was supportive I used a specialist solicitor.
