I'm not sure if this is in the right place - I went for Veterans coz I'm 29 and it's about work stuff, but wasn't sure whether support/general? Please let me know if it's the wrong place!
I am off work atm because my depression is bad and I am changing meds. My work want to claim on their insurance for my time off and want me to sign a form to give my GP permission to tell them about my mental health etc. I don't have a problem with that, but the thing is that my work don't know that I self harm. The form says the doc only has to tell them about my condition and 'any related issues' but I'm really worried that he'll think it's relevent for them to know and it will become a big issue.
They also want me to see Occupational Health - again I'm ok with that but not sure how honest I should be about my SH - I've told them that it's been a problem in the past but I've never been to see them when I'm currently doing it. If I tell them I SH I am scared they'll ask about how/when etc. and I'll have to admit to the fact that I have harmed myself at work before I know that's bad, but I was getting to grips with it a bit and had been able to stop myself til I got home (just about) but then I was signed off. I work in a school and I'm really worried that they'll think I'm not ok to work with the kids, whereas I know that it's not great that I'm SH-ing but doesn't affect my work - my depression does and SH is a sign to me that it's getting worse, but I am taking steps to deal with my depression (counselling, psychiatrist, new meds etc.)
Has anyone talked to OH about their SH? What will they ask and what are they likely to say to my employers? And is it likely my GP will tell them anyway? any advice/support would be great - I'm tearing myself into bits inside thinking about it and don't want that to come out .
Thanks
Bx
OH knew about my SH and it was fine, although I wouldn't recommend saying it happens at work. They didn't tell my employer. They just talked about being covered by the DDA (now equality act) and making reasonable adjustments.
You can agree to your GP writing a letter and that you can see the letter first. You can then ask for changes, but it is you reponsibility to get a copy as if you don't ask to see it within a time limit it gets sent anyway. I wouldn't agree to them having full access as an insurance company may use this as an opportunity to not pay out.
Were you honest on any medical forms when you applied for the job? This can make a difference.
If you aren't in a union I'd recommend you join one.
It'd be a good idea to have a conversation with your doctor about how much they will need to tell. It may turn out that SH doesn't need to be mentioned, as the insurance company would only need to know that you're unable to work due to depression.
I've no experience with occupational health. I would think it's best to answer questions honestly in general. They're not supposed to pass all the details on to your manager.
However if you harm at work and your job involves kids I would expect them to have concerns, and to be honest if you are likely to harm at work you're not fit enough to be there yet.
Yeah I did see that I am allowed to see my GP's letter first and ask for any changes if I feel they're needed. I was going to do this anyway, but would it be a good idea to see my GP first anyway so I know what he's likely to put before I agree to it? I do feel I have to agree to this (although the form says I don't have to) as I want my employers to be able to make a claim - they have been really supportive over the years.
I was totally honest when I applied for the job -as a result I had to see OH before I started but as it was in my past (I had not been harming for over 6 months and my depression was well under control) and I was able to show them that I knew how to recognise and get help if/when it got worse, they were fine.
Geranium, I know you're right that if I need to harm at work then it's not the right place for me at that time. But (this is not meaning to play it down, I know it's a problem) it was only a few weeks and I got control over it quite quickly. My SH is all superficial wounds (again, not playing it down, they're significant to me, just not medically iyswim) and under my clothes so there was never any chance of the kids knowing, or of me hurting myself so badly that I'd need help from someone else. So whilst I know it's a problem, I feel it's passed now and so I don't really want to mention it. I also have 6 weeks off now to really sort myself and my meds out which I think will help.
My GP wrote her report to OH in consultation with me. I was involved at every stage. This was in connection with supporting me through a whole horrible pre restructure process, but unfortunately kind of failed in my case.
I told the OH doctor about my self harm. But as it wasn't cutting, he didn't seem concerned. Neither does my GP. The only person who ever expresses concern regarding my self harm is my therapist.
See, that worries me a bit too, because when I saw OH before I was scratching rather than cutting, which I guess people might see as less worrying? Although obviously the underlying pain is the same. It was getting a bit out of control, but then I got signed off and it feels easier now. My employers are changing my hours and roles from September so I think its unlikely I will get as stressed as I did this year. So it seems unneccessary to dwell on my situation this term when next term should be much easier; I also will have had several months of counselling by then and hopefully found an AD that works!
Are you a teacher? The reason I asked if you were honest is that that if you didn't disclose then this could be a disciplinary offence. Definitely see your GP before the letter is written, so you can discuss it.
I'm a learning support assistant. I was very honest when I applied, as I said - I 'ticked boxes' to disclose my depression, my SH, that I had seen psychiatrists, psychologists, CPN's etc. etc. But OH didnt seem worried as it was in the past.
I have signed the form and sent it off saying that I want to see the report before my GP sends it. I felt I needed to coz I don't want to screw my school over, they've been really good. My OH appointment is in a few weeks so I have a bit longer to stew over that:)
startingagain - why would being in a union be important here? I know I should be in one anyway but is there something specific you're thinking about?
My work weren't very understanding and I needed them for their support. Yours sound much better, but I am a strong advocate for them!
Make sure you keep a check on the report as they get sent out anyway after a certain length of time anyway. OH will be fine, so don't worry. You can take someone with you if you want.
Can I take my partner into the appointment - I mean, not just to wait outside for me? And how will I know that my GP has his report ready for me to look at, do I need to phone the surgery or will they phone me?
You can take your partner and they should be able to come in with you. They have a time limit for reports within which you can read them, but it is so long since I did it that I can't remember how long that is.
Just a quick update....I saw OH today and it was fine :) I answered all the doc's questions honestly, which did include SH but he didn't want to know anything specific, just what I was doing and whether it was getting better/worse/the same. And as I seem to need to SH less in the last few weeks, that was a 'good' answer from his point of view I guess!
He also reassured me right at the start that it was a medical assessment so was completely confidential, and he dictated his report while I was still there so I know I don't have to worry about what goes in it now. He was fab!
Many Occ Health peeps are ex nurses and such and some can be really lovely and on the ball. Sounds like you got a good one
~Phoenix~ is my Little Sister of Awesomeness and Self-Delusion :P Bitter Angel is my Mitten Animad is my Top Trump All Im Living For - Is my beautiful and special daughter who isnt called Kim but will moan if i dont add her :P
I know that's bad, but I was getting to grips with it a bit and had been able to stop myself til I got home (just about) but then I was signed off. I work in a school and I'm really worried that they'll think I'm not ok to work with the kids, whereas I know that it's not great that I'm SH-ing but doesn't affect my work - my depression does and SH is a sign to me that it's getting worse, but I am taking steps to deal with my depression (counselling, psychiatrist, new meds etc.)
