Question about medical treatment and faith issues

[Becca19962014]

I've no idea if this is the right place for this, I've only just found this part of MN.

I'm being asked to do a therapy by the mental health team that is in conflict with my beliefs, I won't go into what it is or exactly which community im a member of simply because it will out me to people in RL but I am an Anglican who is a member of a religious community living apart from the community sharing the same lifestyle, philosophy and teaching my sisters there do.

I've been told to abandon my community and church and do this therapy (it is very long term so it isn't a case of just a few weeks). I've learnt through my sisters (as in those in the community) that if I was a catholic (others who are members are Catholics which is how they know) i would not have to do this, there is a massive conflict. I know people of other faiths in my local community who have not been made to make this choice.

Those not made to make the choice have been allowed other options for treatment/support.

I don't understand why it's okay for them to ask me to abandon my community when they don't ask the same of others. For me this is a massive thing to do, removing structure and valuable source of support. I wanted this for most of my life and spent many years studying to become a member of this community. I do not view it as being detrimental to my wellbeing. Their argument is other Christians do it so I should to, though I'm a bit confused about Catholics, aren't they Christians too?!

I struggle a lot with the mental health team and am terrified of them, I'd appreciate if anyone here could offer me some advice on this issue. This issue comes up frequently and I'd appreciate some other opinions if possible.

I need to get some sleep now, but I will come back to this thread when I can. Thank you for any advice you may be able to give and apologies if this is in the wrong place.

That is helpful, thanks. Not that it helps you.

If it is any help I successfully challenged a diagnosis and that was helpful. Can you use your advocate? They can be brilliant in challenging diagnosis, treatment etc.

Forms can be downloaded from the Internet or got via phone/post ( I think - when doing them for a relative that is what I did). If you physically cannot do this can you get someone to phone up the benefit agency and tell them you physically cannot do it? Or would someone from your parish help you? Or if you contact your gp they may well have the contact of someone who can help you - even if it is a re-referral to social care to do this for you?

Can the leader of the community help you? As I said, I think you need real life help- can you get in touch with the social worker you had before?

I'm glad it cleared things a bit!

It's good to know you challenged and won, though not good you went through it of course. I'll see if I can get a bit of time with her before the appointment. I admit I'm really frightened about going and things are deteriorating, possibly because of that, it's hard to work out what comes under real and not at the moment so if I sound confused it's because I am.

I did go to the jobcentre for help but they said I shouldn't be on ESA
at all, they pulled up my record of employment and got quite rude about me having ESA and not going for a medical (there were obviously valid reasons for this and it was not fraud!). When the helpline was rung the advice given was just sign the form and return it and go to a medical but I think I said before the centre is a very long way from where I live, also it is not accessible.

Social services wise I'm considered to still have support but I don't My gp is looking into why that is. The social worker was moved from mental health services and wasn't replaced. My care was passed to a cpn who refuses to have anything to do with practical things like forms and discharged me for telling lies about what I was going through, she'd seen me twice in three months, she made a point of saying she had spoken to another staff member about me so knew what was happening. That staff member saw me almost ten years ago!

I do need help in real life. I appreciate that, I forgot to say that before, I apologise for that as it looks like I was ignoring what you said!

Unfortunately the head of the community can't help as they are very far away (15 hour journey!!).

Hi

Many benefits now require medical to claim. That is a change the government made. But until your ESA runs out it should not be an issue.

It sounds like you saw a SW as a care co-ordinator in the MH team as MH teams use occupational therapists, social workers and cpn's to do similar roles. Some are better than others as you have found out!! If this is the case it may be worth you asking your gp to refer you ( maybe you can do it yourself I am unsure) to adult social care team. This is a different team. They may be able to provide you with a support worker who can help you with physical and mental health difficulties which includes going to appointments. You may get a budget of care which can help you.

I appreciate government changes were made, however, if filled in properly, I meet the criteria to not be assessed face to face. I've been sent my ESA renewal form hence mentioning it now. I'd rather not get into why I shouldn't be going for a medical though (that's both mental and physical related).

Though I do think if the government wants everyone assessed they must make sure all of the assessment centres are accessible first amongst other things. But that's a rant for a different thread!

Unfortunately I cannot be referred to the adult care team because I have mental health issues (that was mentioned on another forum I was on). Yes I know! It's not appropriate or acceptable, I've contacted my MP and AM about that so perhaps something can be done. But it is a massive problem for people who like me have mental and physical health problems. For some reason our social services think an OT is an OT likewise with social workers and nurses. It isn't the case at all but they don't understand that, even if discharged I would referred to the mental health team. I think it's something to do with funding, but I'm not sure.