Tag Archives: State benefits

Zero hours

So next week I have to go to the GP to ask for an extension to my sick note. After initially signing me off for six weeks they gave me another certificate for four weeks, but this time I have … Continue reading

Posted in Bipolar, Crisis care, Employment and benefits, Mood disorder, NHS services, Primary care, Self-management, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Zero hours

Fitness for work – the real life questions the system never asks

So I filled in an ESA50 last week and was reminded afresh what a terrible form it is. Yes, we all know it’s terrible, a terrible form for a terrible benefit in a terrible system. It’s not designed to be … Continue reading

Posted in Employment and benefits, Mental health, mental health debate, Mood disorder, Politics and current affairs, Stigma and discrimination, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fitness for work – the real life questions the system never asks

Unpinned

It is not always a bad thing to be pinned down. Rather like a tent, I need underpinnings in order to be who I want to be, to feel like me. I can’t erect the life I want unless some fundamentals … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, Books and reading, Crisis care, Employment and benefits, exercise, Hypomania, Mental health, Mood disorder, Recovery, Self-management, Side effects, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Why don’t people with mental health problems just get a job?

Last week I went to the House of Lords, something I found quite intimidating. Thankfully I was supported by a member of Rethink campaigns team in giving oral evidence to a Parliamentary Review. Chaired by Lord Low of Dalston, the Review was … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Employment and benefits, Mental health, mental health debate, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

No desk to call my own: who exactly has “poverty of aspiration” round here?

Another day, another story about the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) “workfare” schemes, where people are made to work at any old job for their state benefits, rather than being paid a wage. We already knew that forcing people … Continue reading

Posted in Activism, Bipolar, Employment and benefits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

One degree of separation – there is no “them” and “us”

103,545 people on Facebook like “I hate benefit scrounging work shy bastards.” What separates them from benefit claimants? One event beyond their control. One departmental downsizing One ruptured blood vessel One car accident that you couldn’t prevent One expected baby … Continue reading

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments