volunteer abroad

[joismith]

i really want to volunteer abroad but im scared my history of self harm (cutting and oding) will prevent me from going due to the health clearance. i never went into hospital but i have received treatment and have been symptom free for a few months and i just want to leave that life behind so badly. anyone know if they will write me off straight away?

[Soviette]

To be honest, nobody here can tell you for sure whether they'll let you volunteer abroad or not. It depends on a lot of things, like what country you're going to, and what the job is.

But as you say it's in the past, you should perhaps disclose your past mental health problems if you know they can find out. Explain that it's in the past now, and you haven't did "anything" since then. I suppose that's the best way to go about it. Honesty is your best policy.

Sorry I couldn't be any more help, but good luck. :) Hope you get through.

[joismith]

thanks for replying :) i think im just going to be honest about it as i think it is all over my medical records, just hope theyll understand.

[bitomato]

Hey,
When you say leave that life behind, do you think that volunteering abroad will be a means of escaping the stressors that cause/ caused you to self harm or od? If you have been receiving treatment for your issues and have been coping well recently, volunteering/ travelling abroad may be positive or negative.

Some people respond well to being away from their normal support network while others do not. If there is a particular field you are interested in working in, you can prepare for volunteering "abroad" by working for local charities and taking short trips away from home within your country.

When you go to certain countries they may not have the resources needed if you feel unwell e.g. relapse, or if you take medication. Even if you are not initially successful with your medical I do not think you should give up on your dream.......volunteering opportunities are very varied and it might just be about finding the right fit for you.

[joismith]

I mean more like forget that i was ever a self harmer. My life is still full of stresses and strains but I have been coping so well with all of it. I want to leave behind the life of being a self harmer behind and not the life of stress. I just don't want self harm to always be holding me back from what I want to do in my life, if that makes sense.
Ive never been on medication and my treatment was just talking to someone who could actually be bothered listening to me as anyone else I tried to talk to didn't seem to care. So im hoping it would be ok, but duuno just felt like i needed some advice and maybe reassurance

[bitomato]

Well once you were able to explore your reasons for SH and maybe identify your triggers............I understand what you mean about forgetting...............I guess it sucks to feel defined by a coping mechanism. At the same time I agree that it should not be something that holds you back in that you don't even try things because you are afraid of relapsing, it is still wise to be wary of it.

It is a part of you whether it is a part of your past or not. It makes you stronger to have survived through it and it is definitely not something to feel guilty about. Abroad you need to be as honest about it as possible, seek help if those feelings of stress and being unable to cope resurface and if you relapse. Maybe you can work with your counsellor/ therapist to devise some way of ensuring that you are always safe.

[Imperfect.Star]

Hi,
So I've gone to Africa a couple of times for volunteer work and have had quite mixed experiences getting 'clearance' and whilst I've been there. I can't say that your experience will be anything similar but can share mine.

The first time I went I had an amazing time and no one mentioned my history whilst I was there but I had to get my GP to write a note saying I was fit to go. She wasn't sure about it (especially since I was actually going to the same place as a friend who also had a recent history of SH) but did and it was fine.

The second time was a bit of a disaster. I got a GP to write a letter saying I could go but they didn't really know much of how I was doing. I went away when I wasn't really in a great state, the experience wasn't what I'd hoped and someone out there really upset me so I ended up cutting pretty badly. The people in charge of the project said they couldn't let me stay on it because they couldn't be responsible for me so I went home very early, feeling worse than ever.

Basically, I would think very carefully about how you think you'll manage on a project, how long you should go for etc. Do be honest, it's not worth lying about, but you may have to go through a bit more 'rigorous' screening.

xxxxxxxxxx

This is just from experience, so don't take it as a definitive answer ok?

During 6th year I was going to be doing volunteer work coaching football in Kenya, I got through all the tests and all that. However, these were through school, there *may* have been more thorough examinations etc afterwards, I never got that far because I chose to call it off.


Good luck, it's an amazing experience from what I've heard :)

[what_the?]

I've volunteered twice in South America, once in Venezuela and once in Ecuador.
Venezuela was through school, and that was fine. They knew about my SI, but there were no problems, although at this point I hadn't been properly ill.
With Ecuador me and my mates organised the trip, so again they were all aware of my issues. The company we went with needed a note detailing all of my medications and saying I was fit to go.

To be honest, the main problem I had was getting insurance, as many places would simply not deal with my MH issues.

In reality, though, don't let SI or anything like that stop you from having a great experience.

[Sigma]

I agree with what's posted above - it can be stressful volunteering abroad so start with being honest with yourself. If you're going to 'escape' that's a bad sign, if you're coping well and simply want to try a new experience without expecting it to 'fix' anything then go for it.

I'm working abroad at the moment, and in many ways it's great but it certainly doesn't 'fix' anything, and can add extra pressure.

[joismith]

Thanks for the replies :)
I honestly think I'd be ok if I actually just got there. I have a very stressful job at the moment and I am dealing with that fine. I'm not going to escape the life I have here I just want to help out there and although I realise it will be incredibly stressful i think it will be a great experience and give some real purpose to my life.
I just hope they wont judge me cos of what has happened but thanks for the advice its encouraging to know that people have still been able to go.

[Bellatrix]

I've volunteered abroad with an AN diagnosis and nothing was mentioned at all. met with the leader and he asked if there was any medical stuff I wished to disclose and I could decide what to tell him. I didn't have to put anything down.

A note, though, if you have been sectioned under the mental health act it is unlikely you will be able to get a visa for the US.

[dollpart]

How long is the volunteering programme for? I went abroad for a yearlong visa to Canada- had been hospitalised, etc, some years before, and I just left it off the application forms and it was all fine. It depends how thorough a check they do- I'm not sure they're allowed to actually see your medical records...

[joismith]

Don't know if anyone will ever read this but just in case it helps anyone. I got the chance to spend 4 months in Africa. I had an amazing time and have never felt better. I learnt to not let my past stop me from doing things in the future. There is most definitely life after self harm so never give up
xxxxx

[Sigma]

That's great!