Thanks @WillC 
1 Like
I accessed counselling via work in December @Knight1119 . I was allocated a counsellor quickly and it really helped speaking to someone about my anxiety. I was offered 6 sessions. They couldn’t offer step 3 high intensity therapy though for my OCD, but I managed to access that locally on the NHS after a 6 month wait. It’s definitely worth exploring your options 
1 Like
Thanks @Saffron18, I’ll have to have a good think, I’m not sure what category I would need
Hiya @Knight1119 the best things about independent counselling programmes accessed via your workplace is that they are typically free or very subsidised, and you don’t have to tell anyone in your organisation why you are requesting it. If nothing else, you can use them to help figure out what kind of therapy works for you.
If you see a therapist and they aren’t a good fit for you, say so. They won’t mind and you won’t be made to continue. The therapist may be able to suggest someone else or refer you to a different therapist or kind of therapy. We’re all different.
I’d say go for it. Good therapy can be life-changing - for the better.
1 Like
Hi @Silkyhat, thanks, I checked but as a contractor I don’ t think I have access, also it looks like all the help is internal not external, the only way to find out is to ask the company which means it’s no longer personal. It looks like I need to look back online.
Also, @Knight1119 you can refer yourself for nhs mental health care, you don’t even need to talk to your GP. There’s lots of info here on how to do it. Nobody else needs to know. There’s also a lot of support available via other organisations such as SOS. many others are listed on their Additional Support page.
I know reaching out that first time is incredibly hard. But if you do it once it’s easier the next time.
4 Likes
Ok here goes,apologies if this turns into a bit of a litany but…
As some who follow the forum may know my wife got diagnosed with fibromyalgia last week so she could finally organise a meeting at work with h.r and occupational health, she had said meeting yesterday and she told me all about it when I got home last night. (She wouldn’t tell me over the phone so i knew it wasn’t good news)
I was absolutely fcukin raging when she told me and I’m still simmering as i type this.
So basically the nhs are trying to shoe horn her out of her position to a lower pay grade(fair enough as she’s unable to fulfil her role now) but there’s no available jobs within the hospital she can do!
Now bear in mind she’s served the nhs above and beyond her role for 32years and only has 14 months til she can retire and you may see my reason for my anger…
Naturally she’s really upset by this (and is worried she will get the sack) as after 32 years you’d think they could have worked around it given she has a few months left,and she’s worried about her income ( being able to pay her share to the household) and her pension.
I’ve said about getting the union on side (as have a few of her equally shocked colleagues) as this is what she’s being paying her subs for.
1 Like
Definitely get the union involved as they will have legal expertise at their hands and will fight her cause. It’s diabolical that any company let alone the NHS should treat their employees in such a way. My wife’s employer (of around 38 years) does help her with hospital appointments and time off for treatment and recovery, so it can be done. I am pretty sure there are laws to protect people such as your wife under inclusivity and diversity legislation. Best wishes to you both.
3 Likes
It really winds me up, when you arrange to meet with people ( on line ) and they never turn up. What’s the point. Really does my head in.
So sorry to hear of your Wife’s treatment @pootle, I really hope she can see out her last 14 months without worry, hopefully the union can smooth this for her 
1 Like
Yeah I would definitely get her union involved. Given that her diagnosis isn’t classed as life altering (internet words not mine). They will look at it as they wont be able to offer ill health retirement. So the union should be looking at two different angles of defense here. Using her skills/knowledge in a staff support capacity. This would be classed as light duties/reasonable adjustments. The NHS HR team should consider something called an equality impact assesment or a disability impact assessment. EIA is for the role, can this person with her diagnosis carry out that role and what measures can be put in place to support. The DIA or DDA will look at the impact her condition has on her and what reasonable adjustments they can put in for a reasonable term.
Its crucial that the DDA assesment is carried out with her employee healthcare team as she has had her condition confirmed by her GP. Once she has raised it the employer has a duty of care to look into what they can do rather than just shipping her to a lower paid job. The other important factor here is as her conditon worsens or impacts her productivity if she has got her DDA in place then shes protected under the equality act updated 2018 i think.
Dont lose hope, its frustrating but the goal is to get her protected under the disability discrimination act as soon as possible.
5 Likes
@WillC @Knight1119 @Meals
Many thanks for your replies, all the info and support it’s much appreciated.
Armed with this information the ball will start rolling first thing Tuesday morning
4 Likes
You’re welcome, there’s a fair few of us here with similar experiences and the members of the forum are a font of knowledge on loads of subjects. Hope you both get a positive outcome.
3 Likes
Sorry not sorry to be that person but the amount of new menbers clealry using this forum as a hook-up site or as an outlet for their own porno fantasies.
6 Likes
And then break the rules and get topics closed 
5 Likes
(post deleted by author)
Whilst I appreciate your frustrations, just a gentle reminder that personal attacks are also against the Forum Rules
4 Likes
1 Like
Please remember to use the flagging system, when interacting with members who have broken the rules a gentle nudge towards the rules is okay, but personal attacks will not be tolerated.
Please use the flag system to report posts which are against the rules. Don’t engage in mob mentality and gang up on a member who has broken the rules – just use the flags and a moderator will take care of the rest.
3 Likes
Five it should have been five 
1 Like