social cleansing

[LondonMix]

It depends on the specifics (which of course we don't know). I have friends with bi-polar and they hold down jobs. There are many famous people with bi-polar disorder in various professions. I think its important not to inadvertently stigmatise all people dealing with bi-polar disorder as unemployable (or osteoporosis for that matter).

Whether the OP can work or not is not something any of us can determine. We do know ATOS have been far too aggressive in their assessments, have been over-turned on appeal, and have financial incentives to incorrectly assess people. That is a disgrace and if the OP really is not fit for work, then hopefully the organisations doing very good work that have already been mentioned can help him or her.

With that said, to the extent that its possible, I hope the OP can stay in her local area but the shortage of social housing is acute and overcrowding is a real concern. Unless it would really cause undue mental strain (more than it causes anyone to move!) her home should be made available to family that needs both rooms in my opinion and she should be put in a one bedroom property.

With that said, I hope the OP gets whatever help he or she needs.

Champ Wrote:

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> Why would a bipolar disorder or osteoporosis

> prevent someone from working? Undeniably there

> will be some occupations that won't be suitable

> but not all.

[LondonMix]

Osteoporosis is often not painful (it relates to bone density) and many women have some form of the disease, particularly post menopause. Again, the OP might be in pain, but osteoporosis is not something that makes you unable to work automatically (though obviously the increased risk of fracture means certain types of jobs aren't suitable).

Whether someone can function with bi-polar depends on a whole host of factors. One of my best friends is bi-polar and works as an architect for one of the leading international practices. Its a complex disease.

david_carnell Wrote:

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> Champ Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Why would a bipolar disorder or osteoporosis

> > prevent someone from working? Undeniably there

> > will be some occupations that won't be suitable

> > but not all.

>

> Can you think of a job suitable for someone

> suffering from severe depression and mania on a

> regular basis and high levels of physical pain

> upon movement? I'm struggling but I'm sure you can

> enlighten us.....

[DJKillaQueen]

I agree LM but part of the problem that many with mental health problems have is in finding employment in the first place. Employers just don't want people who nmay be ill more often than others. Whereas those who are already employed at the time of the onset of illness tend to find more sympathy in their place of work and theredfore often cope better.

A lot of work needs to be done to combat the ignorance of and stigma around mental health issues before forcing thousands of people (who may not be ready) into the labour market.

We all know that welfare reform is driven by money only. There has been little consideration of the deatil of the impact on some individuals. And let's not forget that tax credits anbd help for those in work is also keeping people in homes they could not afford without it. Housing is too expensive accross the board (proportionate to income) and until someone in power has the balls to do something about that then people are going to continue to be screwed.

[LondonMix]

Yes, it doesn't take much for employers to discriminate-- any woman in her 30s who employers think might get pregnant knows that well enough, much less someone suffering from a serious mental illness. Discrimination is really at the heart of the problem as is affordable housing in London-- neither of which have easy solutions.

[david_carnell]

And the answer to neither of those problems is an ATOS assessment.

[LondonMix]

Yes, but reinforcing the idea that those suffering mental illness "can't" work only strengthens the prejudice employers and society has against them-- which those who can and want to work find particularly galling and why there is still so much shame and secrecy surrounding these issues.

A better way forward is needed.

[Pugwash]

ATOS prevented my husband who is also bipolar from getting ESA as when applied he was very depressed having been off work for 6 months and being medically retired due to frequent periods of depression lasting 26 weeks in one year (several periods of depression). When seen by ATOS was 'high'. Dr.kept asking him why I drove him to the assessment centre - hubby has never learnt to drive. Seemed to not undertand that hubby's poor attention and concentration span, and inability to consider what was going on around him would prevent him from driving and if he drove would be up on a manslaughter charge. ATOS Dr kept asking me if I had ever seen him attempt to drive!!.

Could not get ESA or JSA as occupational pension was ?2 pw over limit allowed to earn. Signed on each fortnight and was pressurised to apply for jobs mainly in IT - hubby can only just know how to send an email as has never had cause in previous work to use IT. Hubby asked to go on a training course but they refused.

It is hard to work with bipolar but hubby worked from 20 - 58 and had over 40 jobs - working in a factory to accounts clerk, to post room attendant, to shop worker, to home help