Has anyone ever claimed DSA for their mental health illness to study at university?
Hello all! I have tried asking on Reddit but got some really horrible responses saying I should not be going to uni with my difficulties so thought I would try here.
I have long-term (15 years) anxiety and agoraphobia. My agoraphobia prevents me from using public transport as I end up with panic attack but I am ok in public spaces, at work etc. I went to uni 4 years ago but never claimed disabled student allowance as I was worried it would impact my application and never mentioned my difficulties to them which really didn’t help. I still managed to graduate but wished I had been more open with my struggles.
Now applying for my masters I have been more open about my difficulties. My course is in Occupational Therapy and I have to do four placements over the two years (7 weeks each time). I was told this could be upto an hour away from my home and it’s really sent me into a panic.
I just wondered if anyone had got support at university for their mental health and what reasonable adjustments universities can put in place so I can do well? Would it be reasonable to ask for placements closer to where I am or would they see this as me not being suitable for the course? I live in a huge city which has 3 hospitals, several health services, schools and four councils. (All areas in which placements are based).
I just don’t know what to do. I’ve put this masters off for so long now but really come on leaps and bounds over the last year and really feel ready to do my masters in January.
Thank you for reading so far and any advice is appreciated 🙏
Comments
-
Hi @cjk15 , firstly a massive welcome to the community! Congratulations too on getting through your OT training and getting in this position to do your Masters in January.
I cannot urge you enough to contact the Disabled Students Office at the Uni. I applied for DSA for similar reasons, I doubt I'd have got through my training without it, especially the first year but the support was available for the full 3 year duration of my course.
So I applied to do nurse training at 3 uni's via UCAS in 2008 was offered at 2 uni's and accepted/passed the interviews and I chose the one nearest to home (still an hour's drive away) but I was offered support from DSA. It included guarantees that I could do all my placements at the hospital nearest to me (40 minutes away) but they would fund travel by taxi. They offered an assistant but I declined that. I was provided with a desktop PC and printer and a handset recording device to be able to record lectures. I also received technical support if I needed it for IT and they'd come to me at home.
I was permitted to apply for grants (twice) to help with my household costs. I could have applied more frequently but did not as I managed but it was a struggle financially (there was a bursary then 558.00 a month but that's stopped since) especially the first year.
I got two part time jobs in my second year and a third in my third year and I used the taxi via DSA frequently in the first year, less/hardly at all in my second year and not at all in my 3rd year.
I also received telephone support as often as needed with the DSA/counselling support service.
The whole experience for me with DSA was truly outstanding in the support I received but also the ongoing, dedicated care and contact when I needed it - it was invaluable for me.
My mental health massively improved, the DSA was instrumental for both starting my training, doing 3 top-up modules too in my third year for the degree and, having a 10 year career in nursing which I loved.
I was in receipt of benefits when i first started including Disability Living Allowance I was told (maybe by DWP but not sure who told me) that I'd keep the DLA but I was assessed after a fortnight of starting my training and it was stopped even though I wasn't on placement for months. That could have backfired spectacularly on DLA as I could have left/returned onto the benefits but I was determined to change my life so stuck with it. I don't regret that.
Sadly, after being very ill with covid in Nov 2020 I left nursing in June 2023 (Long Covid etc etc!) and I was unable to revalidate earlier this year so I've left the register whhch was devastating for me but I sort of knew that's where it was heading.
I think it is so exciting for you to do your Masters and I wouldn't hesitate for a second recommending you seek support from the DSA.
Very, very best wishes to you, I hope this might help a little and if you've any questions at all, please do ask. BTW, I think I could have had extensions/extra support on submitting assignments etc but I never applied for that.
Take care and very good luck to you too 😊.
3 -
@cjk15 I didn't mention sorry your point about would they consider your suitability by you requesting local location for placements etc.
I think absolutely not. My experience was that the uni was very inclusive and supportive.
This post reminded me of a very difficult situation where I had to whistleblow (not anonymously) where a patient had been starved. It was a truly unimaginable, tragic situation and the hospital had internal enquiries, I went to hearings/gave evidence etc but the hospital where I had worked for c 2 yrs were spiteful towards me and stopped me carrying out my OSCE on my 12 week ward placement. Long story short I was moved to Tissue Viability for a 4 week placement with the plan to do OSCE. TV had not facilitated OSCEs before me; felt I was set up to fail. I didn't. Up at 4am to get to Library for 6am daily for 4 weeks. 95% score at OSCE including assessing 8 patients on wards the same day as verbal one hour assessment. They did me a favour in a way as that served me, and my patients for the rest of my nursing career.
Sorry I go on a bit 🤣. My point is that whilst I did that under my own steam it was having the DSA that helped me build my confidence to deal with that whole experience. It did impact my mental health negativly but I had the tools then to manage it effectively.
So they helped in almost unseen, unexpected ways but which enabled me to flourish I suppose.
3 -
Hi Santosha12, thank you so much for your informative and very empathetic reply. I am soo sorry to hear about your struggles since Covid and how this has affected your job and life. I hope you are doing ok despite all of the troubles you’ve had.
I won’t hesitate to get in touch with the disabled students team. I think I need to be more honest and not let it hinder me anymore. I am very capable but lack confidence sometimes and wonder what others would think of me if I say too much about my struggles. I am currently claiming limited capability to work and have been getting support to get back into work this year but get no where with job offers (probably due to being out of work a couple of years this doesn’t look good to employers). I have done so much though and have soo many skills and this is what spurred me to get back into my career and training. I often worry how things will work for me as I have been reading that if you claim benefits and want to go to university, you won’t get as much student finance or none at all so I’ve been really trying to get into work before next year so I don’t have that trouble. As you are aware, masters are very jam packed two years and I’ve been told it might be difficult to work alongside the course but will still try in anyway I can.
I will definitely reach out to them for more support and see if they can help me. You just hear soo many sad stories these days of genuine cases of people getting no help so it’s been playing on my mind but I’ll definitely give it a try, it can’t hurt me.
Thank you again for all your kind words, I really appreciate your response and insight in this.
2 -
You're very welcome, I'm afraid I don't know about the student finance side of things. I imagine you're not in the RCN but if you are in a union, they may offer grants at some point if you need that as extra help.
Although of course my Uni knew of my health issues and a couple of tutors, I only shared that with one of my peers at school and generally not on placements as I just wasn't comfortable to share or risk being treated differently.
I received a small grant from Lamplight (part of RCN) this was after I lost my job. And there is also the Cavell Trust (Edith Cavell) who help healthcare workers, this was a small grant, neither of these were repayable, and were a really appreciated lifeline for me whilst I was waiting to be assessed for LCWRA and then PIP.
I do know what you mean about Masters study. I never fully completed the Stage 2 of my previous IPD Human Resource Management (former career - I'm 62 now 😬😅) but it was equivalent to accumulation of so many Masters points but I got paid study leave of several months in my City job in the 1990's but I don't know how it works now and via Uni etc.
All the very best to you @cjk15 and I really do hope you get the answers you need to be able to pursue your journey.
2 -
Dear @cjk15 Read with interest as similar'ish situation. I saw that you read potential students on benefits don't get student finance. I have done a lot of research and am doing more over next few weeks but I saw on gov.uk (I can't find exact reference but I have saved it so will return with it and others that you may not have seen), if on LCW or LCWRA a further education student can apply/keep UC. Student Finance offer £x amount depending what one is studying and even if that loan isn't taken, UC still include it as income which is taking the mickey and I can't find reasons yet for that. You have experience and skills and are ready so don't be your own worst enemy. Let people/services tell you they can't give you something. Don't do their job for them and think or tell them that they won't! You are entitled to support.
@Santosha12 I have noticed your knowledge, empathy and compassion since I joined and I am not surprised to read your story above. I am fortified by your responses to @cjk15 and others. Your warmth is palpable. I am sorry about your tougher times though. I don't think many others like those who stick their head above the parapet as it highlights too much. What an understatement that is, I'll leave it there! I'm glad it is in the past. And Nursing's loss. Flourishing sounds like you suited it and it you. Wishing you the very best in your new direction!
Thanks both of you. I'm even more motivated to move forward having read this discussion.
2 -
@cjk15, I expect you will have looked here
I emailed the uni I am interested in and asked their Disability team what finance is available. They gave me a password to look at their current students' noticeboards where grants (!) are offered. It won't work as a copypaste link here but if you haven't already you might get more information from your chosen uni's admissions office. If you're not already on The Student Room site, you might find that useful. Sorry I can't find the gov.uk direct link about funding, sure I saved it though. Will add when I find it over the next week or so. Very best of luck and ease to you!
1 -
P.s. I realise you were asking a specific question re: DSA. I can't answer that and went off on a funding tangent. I apologise. Unfortunately, that is where I'm at but I don't normally inflict it on others.
0 -
Thank you @Legwax for your very kind words, I am very, truly moved.
I wish you well with whatever you're going to study and do hope you find the answer regarding UC taking into account Student Finance.
I don't know if I'm permitted to post the name of a FB group where I've seen comments re this topic (although I can't say I've seen the answer about why SF is taken into account). If anyone tells me I can post the name of the Group, I'm happy to do so although there may well be groups which deal with it more specifically than the one I know of which is more generalised!
Take good care and again, thank you, you're very kind 🙏.
2 -
I just wanted to say how much I appreciated reading this thread earlier this morning. It’s so refreshing to find a space filled with genuine kindness and support. As I near the end of my professional career, if I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to embrace every opportunity to keep learning, and to make the most of any government support that’s available to do so. These resources are there to help and truly can make a difference.
You all sound like such incredible people, and I wish you every success and happiness in whatever paths you choose to follow. Thank you for getting my day off to such a positive start. Sending you all one of my virtual granny hugs. xx
4 -
Hi there,
I also suffer with a disability, however its not just depression I am afraid!, mine is a genetic condition. Anyhow, back to you sweet, I am now 51 and I think if I had had the support at University when i was 19 to 23 years old I would have gained a much better degree than I have now!. I finished my degree in 1997, so I am a bit old school! lol!. I think like the other people are saying you must definately contact the student services people and you should use their services!. There is support for people like us you know. I now run my own Teaching Business from home and I love it!, its great when you have a disability as no one can fire you as you are the boss! lol!. I think once you have these measures in place then you should pass your course with flying colours!!! I wish you all the best and take care xx
2 -
Thank you Fudge40 for your lovely comment. I am soo glad you have your own business and it’s working well for you. I will definitely take any help I can get from the uni or government. I have always suffered with mental health but have still managed to get good work opportunities and studied for six years so I hope they can see I want it and won’t mess it up. I just hope there is support available so I can afford to go back to learning. I fear if I leave it until I am older (I am now 32), it will be even more difficult to afford.
Thank you again for your comment, take care 🙂0 -
Hi Legwax! Thank you for all of your information. Please don’t apologise going off on a tangent as the information you supplied it very useful. I was also concerned about getting student finance and being on benefits so that’s another issue I have and have also been searching for answers on that.
I to read about Universal Credit taking into account any student finance you are eligible for as income even if you decide not to take it. I find this very strange as well. I will definitely take whatever I can get. I was concerned that if I start university on UC and LWCRA that they would see I am no longer ill and remove all of my benefits and also give me a reduced rate of student finance as I have a income even though they were benefits.
A few days ago I decided to call SFE and ask these questions. The woman told me that claiming benefits doesn’t affect your student finance entitlement but SFE entitlement will affect your benefits. She said I can still claim benefits but they will go by how much I get in student loans and reduce my benefits. Some months, like over the summer if I don’t get any payments, I will still be entitled to my UC. She also told me because I was off sick and claiming LCWRA, I was allowed to apply for special support grant which is an extra entitlement on top of your maintaince loan as I am classed as having a mental health disability. She told me this special support grant doesn’t have to be paid back and also won’t be classed as income by the job centre. She did however tell me it’s best to speak to my UC health coach to go through this information but I’ll be honest, it am not due to start the course until January 2026 and if I tell them now about it, I am worried they may take my LCWRA off me altogether. I have had mental health issues for over a decade and it affects me every day. Some days are better than others but I really would appreciate any financial support and I could get to help me get back into my studies. That’s where the DSA comes in as they can assign you a support worker and get more time to finish assignments etc.
P.s I agree with what you said about Santosha12, what a genuine lovely human being. I empathise with their situation and wish then the absolute best for the future ❤️
1 -
That’s very kind MW123, thank you for your lovely comment and sound advice. I agree with how wonderful and supportive this community is, you don’t get this support or appreciation anywhere else online. I am really thankful for all of the lovely members here. You take care and have a lovely week xx
0 -
Can I just apologise for the spelling mistakes. Sometimes I type faster than my brain can think and I can’t see any way to edit my comment. I hope you can understand me 🤣
1 -
Haha, I didn't notice any spelling mistakes! I understood. I hear you and fully empathise/sympathise(!) about the LCWRA/benefits/go to uni "she's better, she must do what we say"/chicken egg scenario. Same here. But I think inconsistent health is not a reason to not study. It's a different kind of application of energy. I think. Not sure DWP etc will agree with that but it is true! For me. It must be for others otherwise DSA wouldn't exist.
You did the right thing speaking directly to SFE. Glad you got some info.
The conundrum about benefits being taken as you're studying so can work…this is anecdotal obviously but I think if a person has been LCWRA for a while (I'd guage over a couple of years), then DWP can't/won't force them to take ft work or do what they can't do. I think this is because they are afraid of being sued rather than policy dictating genuine care must be taken. Reason I say this is some time ago, I mentioned in passing to my DWP work coach that I was very stressed about DWP forcing me into ft work after LCW. My work coach's immediate response was to say, No, that won't happen. We will work with you to help you do what you can in stages but when you are ready. I'm very lucky as he is a decent human and while he adheres to gov.uk, he would have said different if so.
I'm going to do my best to go through application process etc. If I find anything else new, though it sounds like you've covered the ground already, I'll put it here. The only obstacle I see is The Conundrum because of the bad experiences I've had with DWP. But I have had good too so focussing on that.
Technically, you don't have to tell DWP anyway as you haven't done anything yet. When I start, that is when I will tell them. Otherwise, I am telling them a story! If they dispute my LCW then, (I know LCWRA comes with a financial element so has a potentially heavier impact on you), I will cross that bridge then.
I can't find the link that said DWP assess 30% of SFE only. It was online and I saved it in my yet to be found organised folder…
Wishing you easy fact finding. And thanks for replying!
1 -
Another thought came to mind @cjk15, it's a bit of a longshot but there just might be an inkling in my mind of it possibly helping, if not directly, then at least with information about your current queries on the financial aspect. I'll get to the point !
I received help from a charity called Moodswings, they're based in the centre of Manchester (Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm 0161 832 3736). I'd initially made contact via their helpline but they provided me with 1 to 1 telephone sessions, I think maybe 6 or 8. They did not charge me and I don't know if this provision of sessions was their usual 'modus operandi' (Manchester's my home city but not living their now). Guess it must have been but they offer a lot of on-site activities and support too, whereas I couldn't travel.
I'd approached them because of my depression after losing my job in 2023 so it was a different reason than yours but they were amazing. They were instrumental in providing a strength to me (that I definitely did not have myself then, mentally) that just kept me on the right side of sane. My mental health was very fragile and they got me through a very difficult period of several months. They offered even to write a supporting letter for my PIP appeal.
My main point (sorry, off on a tangent again 😊) is that they also offer something called 'Student Project', to help students' mental health whilst at Uni. It is funded I think from DSA so it may only be something you could avail yourself of, once you've started. It is 1 to 1 support from a mental health specialist. However it might be that they could give you information sooner regarding navigating the student finance/benefits situation.
Thank you for your very lovely comment about me, that brings a tear to my eye. I've still got to work out what my path forward is. A bit unwell at present so I'm 'parking' that and just concentrating on recovering for now but, ironically, whilst I've been stressing about my path and what it is for a couple of years, I only found out on Sunday and yesterday, that I have a genetic condition which I am suspecting is the likely source of my ill-health. I'll create a separate post on that when I've recovered from this blip!
Wishing you so well on your journey and very warmest wishes.
2 -
aww thank you again for your advice and support. I will look into the organisation you have mentioned. I appreciate all the support at the moment.
I am soo sorry to hear the news of your newly diagnosed genetic condition but also have some faith that you may now get the answers you need and hopefully some form of treatment to get on the road to recovery. I will look out for your posts and updates because I would love to hear how you get on. I am hopeful that you will get more support now for your illness and I am wishing you the best recovery possible for your diagnosis. Take care xx
0 -
Thank you so much i really appreciate that ❤️
1
Categories
- All Categories
- 15.3K Start here and say hello!
- 7.2K Coffee lounge
- 87 Games den
- 1.7K People power
- 121 Announcements and information
- 24.2K Talk about life
- 5.8K Everyday life
- 412 Current affairs
- 2.4K Families and carers
- 865 Education and skills
- 1.9K Work
- 524 Money and bills
- 3.6K Housing and independent living
- 1K Transport and travel
- 884 Relationships
- 256 Sex and intimacy
- 1.5K Mental health and wellbeing
- 2.4K Talk about your impairment
- 863 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions
- 922 Neurological impairments and pain
- 2.1K Cerebral Palsy Network
- 1.2K Autism and neurodiversity
- 39.3K Talk about your benefits
- 6K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 19.6K PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
- 8.2K Universal Credit (UC)
- 5.7K Benefits and income