i have complex mental health conditions

damagedlad71

Hello everyone
I’m Chris .. i have complex mental health conditions I stumbled across this community whilst looking for some support with attempting to claim PIP
I’m glad I did! Because it’s a nice place to be able to participate in

Chris 

April2018mom

Welcome to the community @damagedlad71. If you have any other questions feel free to ask away! Tell us a little more about yourself, what brought you here? 

Sam_Alumni

Welcome to the community @damagedlad71
I'm so glad you found us and like it here. 
Regarding your PIP, have you tried doing the self pip test? It can be a good indicator of if you could be entitled.

It is important to understand the criteria they are looking for in PIP so you can see how your own life is affected in these specific areas.

I'm sure there are lots of members here who will be able to help and share their own experiences of claiming PIP with mental health conditions.

If you have any questions, then let us know

damagedlad71

Thank you!
i ended up attending the assessment.. I was advised to ask for a copy of the assessment (which I did) it was weird the assessor seemed to focus on my arthritis!! 
I showed the mental health nurse who I see the report, he immediately said you should challenge this.
the assessor deemed my current medication as being “ moderate” which was inaccurate.
A lot of my conditions are related to being a survivor of childhood institutional sexual abuse, I expressed before the assessment that I’m classed as a vulnerable adult, I felt I should have been offered support from a VCC.. sadly I wasn’t.
it was a nasty experience to say the least ... So for now I’m just trying to put the whole situation outta my mind, until I get a decision one way or another... I’m certain more than a few of us out there know only to well the way these kind of things can play havoc mentally

Sam_Alumni

Oh I am so sorry to hear this @damagedlad71  

Will you be appealing the decision?

Are you getting any support about the abuse? Survivors is a charity that offers support to male survivors of abuse, have you seen them before? SurvivorsUK can offer a range of support services including counselling and therapy appointments as well as online chat. All services are provided by trained professionals who as specialists in the field of male sexual violence have helped many men to work through their experiences. 

You can Message +44 7491 816064 on WhatsApp or text on 020 3322 1860

thespiceman

Hello @damagedlad71   Pleased to meet you welcome.

Sorry to hear what you have been through, thanks for sharing with the community.

I have mental health issues my self never easy to talk about the past.

I am one of the team of the community champions.  We guide, advise and help new members who join the community.

Please if I can suggest have you ever consider speaking to a mental health charity.

I used this one might be useful to help and advise you.

Give you some support.

https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk.

Might not be in all areas.

I hope if you need to talk please if we can help and be supportive. Ready to listen anytime.

I find this helps myself using this forum.

Please take care.

@thespiceman

damagedlad71

Hey @thespiceman
Thanks for the welcome
I’m managing life atm.. like a lot of us focusing on one day at a time.
its reassuring to have found such a supportive place, I struggle (again probably like most people) to ask for help, but the whole PIP thing really got to me, which is why I resisted applying for it for so long in the first place
thank you again for reaching out, makes me feel better knowing a place like this is out there..
kind regards 
Christian 

thespiceman

Hello @damagedlad71   Thank you for kind words.  Hope you doing OK.

I mentioned the link in my post.  To you as they can help with your benefit situation.  Advise you on many aspects of your mental health.

Helped me a lot.

Please if I can help with anything please ask.  

Your not alone.  Need some one to chat or talk to happy to do so.

Wish you well.

Take care.

@thespiceman

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @damagedlad71, how are you doing at the moment?

damagedlad71

@Chloe_Scope Hey... I’m not doing so badly thank you for asking just taking each day as it comes. I try and stop over once a day on this site. There’s some truly inspirational people that help to put things into perspective, well I certainly feel it’s a very safe and supporting community. Where’s my manners ??? How are you doing?? Chris

Ails

Hi @damagedlad71 and welcome to the Community.  It is nice to meet you and thank you for sharing.  I'm sorry to hear of your struggles with your mental health.  You have come to the right place for support and new friendship.  If there is anything we can help/support you with then please just ask. I look forward to seeing you again on the Community.  All the best.  

damagedlad71

@Alis Thank you. Everyone has been really kind and very supportive ... again thank you for the support Chris

Chloe_Alumni

Morning @damagedlad71! I'm glad you aren't doing too badly. I'm okay, thank you for asking.

It's great that you have found us and please do reach out if there is anything we can do!

Adrian_Scope

Really glad you've found us @damagedlad71. To echo Chloe ⁠— if you need any support or advice, please don't hesitate to let us know.