Offered a vaccination because of mental health issues.

[User5768]

Without going into too much detail, I have a lifelong mental health disorder. It is well controlled with medication and I am otherwise fit and healthy.

I was very surprised to get a text from my GP inviting me to book a vaccination. I did phone them up to check it was correct and they confirmed it is.

Has anyone else had this? I’m interested in the thinking behind it.

Bump

Yes it's correct
It's really good that you're fit and healthy but I would suggest that generally others with your condition aren't in such a good place and so are more vulnerable? I'm just guessing though really.
The criteria is a funny mix of very general conditions and very specific conditions so it's no wonder folk are a bit confused.

I haven’t had for this reason (although I do have mental health issues). I believe that the reasoning is people with serious mental health issues will have a harder time maintaining distancing, getting help early enough if needed for covid etc., if not in a good place. obviously many will be stable and able to manage all that is needed but it will be difficult for gps to work out who in that group should have the vaccine earlier so will be a blanket invite to ensure everyone who needs it gets it.

I will say that is my understanding and I may be wrong so hopefully someone who knows the ins and outs will be along soon.

Statistically people with a ‘severe mental health issue’ (I’m not sure how they define that, no intention to come taupe offence if that’s not what you feel your’s is) are more likely to get very ill from covid. There’s studies backing this up. Therefore you have the same right to the vaccine as people with physical health needs that put them at increased risk.

Definitely make sure you’ve booked it if you’ve been offered!

That does make a lot of sense.

I know from my own past experience how vulnerable a person can be if they’re very unwell with poor mental health. It can be difficult to function even in normal times.

I’m actually impressed that they have thought about this.

I think I will go ahead and book it. I just initially felt as if I might be jumping the queue.

Good plan OP, you're as important as anyone else

I’ve been offered the same thing. I think the GP mist just flag up anyone whose ever had anxiety depression medication. I checked with surgery as I am not vulnerable all and they says fine to book. It’s odd but maybe it’s too time consuming to look too closely at medical records ? Or as one person said on my post maybe they just need to use up the fir safe on my area

For inclusion under mental health conditions - it's not the medication that's triggers you being included - it's the diagnosis of particular mental health conditions that trigger it.

Basically if you're offered the vaccine and want it, take it. Everyone will be offered at some point and the errors in the eligibility are too deeply ingrained to iron out quickly enough.

You're not jumping any Q. This is right reason for you to get jab.

Not saying you in particular but it's really important that anyone who is likely to be hospitalised has the vaccine to minimise the chances of a serious outbreak happening in a mental health unit.

It will be less admin for them if you go ahead and have it, I'd have thought.
Apart from the factors already mentioned, a bad bout of covid might throw peoples medication regime , be they for mental or physical health conditions.

@Purpl

I’ve been offered the same thing. I think the GP mist just flag up anyone whose ever had anxiety depression medication. I checked with surgery as I am not vulnerable all and they says fine to book. It’s odd but maybe it’s too time consuming to look too closely at medical records ? Or as one person said on my post maybe they just need to use up the fir safe on my area

I thought it had to be a "severe" mental illness, defined as bipolar, schizophrenia, etc. Not just depression/anxiety. Although I'm now hoping I'm wrong and I'll get offered one soon!

I thought it had to be a "severe" mental illness, defined as bipolar, schizophrenia, etc. Not just depression/anxiety.
Although I'm now hoping I'm wrong and I'll get offered one soon!

That is my understanding too... and there is a Severe Mental Illness register that people would be on. I am certain I am not on it but my mental illness has had me under section, MH services etc and I am unable to work. Not had any text/call about vaccine. I guess it depends how far down the list areas are.

@AnniversaryScaresMe @XenoBitch it is a severe mental illness and in the description it specifically highlights schizophrenia and bipolar but says other sever mental illnesses such as severe depression can fall under the label so perhaps it depends on the severity for other mental illnesses.

@User5768

I think I will go ahead and book it. I just initially felt as if I might be jumping the queue.

Book away. Happy for you

If you're in Group 6 due to severe mental health problems & you're offered the jab, go for it! Certainly my psychiatrist was insistent that I get it. Am having it later today.

[quote cinammonbuns]**@AnniversaryScaresMe* @XenoBitch* it is a severe mental illness and in the description it specifically highlights schizophrenia and bipolar but says other sever mental illnesses such as severe depression can fall under the label so perhaps it depends on the severity for other mental illnesses.[/quote]
I wish I understood how they decided this. How is severity defined? I feel like I should qualify but seem to slip through all the gaps!

I haven't had a letter. (I have anorexia, cyclothymia and mild anxiety). Idk if it would be severe - more chronic than severe, I think.

I'll be quite offended if I do get one, tbh. I have mental health problems, I'm not incapable of rational thought and following the law/social etiquette (unlike some people I know with no mental health conditions!) Maybe we should start singling out selfish, inconsiderate people as 'high risk' rather than people doing their best to get on with life despite challenges! It's just more stigmatising and infantalising of those with mental illness.

@manicinsomniac don’t worry, no one is trying to stigmatise you, just the same as we are not trying to stigmatise people with diabetes, Asthma, heart conditions or who work in the nhs. It’s all about statistics and risk. Statistically a ‘severe mental health’ issue put people at more risk of severe illness from covid. Therefore they are entitled to a vaccine in just the same way as if they had a physical health issue that statistically put them at more risk.

@manicinsomniac

I haven't had a letter. (I have anorexia, cyclothymia and mild anxiety). Idk if it would be severe - more chronic than severe, I think.

I'll be quite offended if I do get one, tbh. I have mental health problems, I'm not incapable of rational thought and following the law/social etiquette (unlike some people I know with no mental health conditions!) Maybe we should start singling out selfish, inconsiderate people as 'high risk' rather than people doing their best to get on with life despite challenges! It's just more stigmatising and infantalising of those with mental illness.

I'm not able to completely follow the rules, as a result of my mental health (and situation). I'm not selfish or incapable of rational thought. Well, maybe I am when I've spent too long alone and descended into a spiral of suicidal thoughts and the police arrive at the door telling me I really need to get someone to come over...

I’m interested in this.

I have a lifelong history of anxiety and depression, some of which is difficult to treat. I can’t work. But I’ve heard nothing, although I’m at the end of the alaphabet.

But I thought it was Schizophrenia, Bipolar or Pyschotic depression, which are defined as severe.

So those if you who are being offered it, do you have anxiety and depression or one of the more severe diseases?

I haven't heard anything yet. I have schitzoaffective.

Busygoingblah But the reason given upthread for that is that we are less likely to follow distancing rules. Which is offensive. Apart from my children, who I live with, I haven't hugged anyone in nearly a year. That's a lot more than I can say for plenty of my friends without mental health conditions. Struggling or refusing to follow distancing is something spread across all demographics.

Statistically people with severe and enduring mental illness which is usually taken to mean mainly
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have 15 years less life expectancy than the general population. They have also been shown to be at much greater risk of dying from Covid in the first wave.
We don't exactly know why that is it is all speculation. It will likely be a combination of drugs causing obesity and diabetes, higher smoking rates therefore higher rates of lung disease, stigma and symptoms reduce access to healthcare, maybe also less ability to social distance/ greater risk of relapse if trying to.

Whatever way if you are offered a vaccine just take it. We are in a wide roll out now and the precise order matters less than just getting as many people as possible protected.