Job role in relation to mental health

[aintnoregular]

Can anyone shed any light...

As a police officer.. if I were to be sectioned how would that affect my job

Good question. Are you OK?

Only one PC I know was sectioned, but she resigned voluntarily. Can't say the Job gave any real support, only individual friends.

We never found out what HR thought about it.

I love my job, but I also feel like I need some help.

Your health is more important at the moment. Are you worried that you will need to be under section, I hope you are ok.

I want to go into hospital, I want to be fixed. I can’t explain why I have the urge to be in hospital but I don’t stop thinking about it. I know it would have a huge effect on my career.

You can be admitted voluntarily—it doesn’t need to be under section. Have you been in hospital before?

I’ve never been in hospital before. The problem with public service jobs is that they are all over your health and well-being (not because they care) and I don’t want my career to be effected

How can you go to a hospital voluntarily and what does that include?

I hate to say it, but your career would be affected.
If they don’t think you have mental/emotional/financial stability then you would pretty much be forced to resign.
They say that occupational health will help you, and to a degree it does. You go to a horrific job, they patch you up with counselling.
Being sectioned would be totally different.
You get a CCJ and they frown upon it, as you need to be trusted around large amounts of money.
You get sectioned and they frown upon it, as you need to be mentally stable in all situations.
If you get permanently injured or become disabled then they are slightly more forgiving and may offer you a desk job. If there is anything suitable.

I am sad you feel so down. Have you spoken to your GP. Do you have a history of mental health illness or have any support already., your GP, amb

Posted too soon. Your gp, mental health team or emergency team can arrange for you to go to hospital. Why do you want to go.

I don’t have a medical history of mental health as such, Most of the time I am okay, I just have phases where I feel rubbish and now is one of those times. I have no trust in GPs.

Do you think you have depression, is there anyone you can talk to about how you feel.

I work in the public sector. Half of my colleagues have had/have mental health issues (including myself). No one judges - and legally they're not allowed to discriminate. Don't hold back on seeking the help you need.

And to you.

Thus is just my opinion as a fellow police officer- I’m just a mere PC without experience in this first hand so cannot say for certain.

Can you take time off with stress to take a step back from it all. I’m a police officer and was in child protection for years and half the people in the unit were off with serious stress. I think unless you’re looking at firearms/CT roles in the future you should be fine. There’s lots of people restricted due to stress where I currently work. They can’t discriminate against officers with mental health problems. Surely?

I’ve phoned NHS DIRECT as I wanted to go into hospital (as you said) to be fixed (I wanted to be sectioned) during a horrendous episode last christnas. They talked me down and I got through it. As far as I know we don’t need to declare this to work?

Can you/have you tried other therapies (CBT on NHS) Headspace, personally I found running really helped me escape.

Sorry to hear you are going through this.

I also referred myself to occupational health- this was very common where I worked. It gave me a real outlet. And was a positive experience. Just flag it up as urgent or you’ll be waiting forever- due to cutbacks!

There’s a strict set of procedures ro be admitted. In my area, as with many, you have to go through the ‘crisis team’ (or home treatment and crisis resolution team as they’re called here). There are so few beds now that people are generally only admitted if they’re actively suicidal or at risk of hurting other people.

Mental hospitals are not nice places. Very loud, busy, with some very poorly patients (who can be scary), especially if you’ve never been in hospital before. IME (& many others), you’re left to look after yourself. People spend their time smoking and watching TV. You’d probably see a psychiatrist for 30 mins once or twice a week. If you’re lucky, there will be a card making group once a week, or something similar. The staff are run off their feet and it can be hard to catch someone if you need help. Hospitals are really just a holding pen to stop people either killing themselves or someone else. Very little therapeutic value.

You don't have to be sectioned to have a stay in hospital you could go as an informal patient. If you need help go to your local a and e telling them your concerns and ask for a place of safety. Your occy health department will probably get involved.

I'm not a danger to any one, i'm not even a danger to myself, and I understand what people are saying. Especially being in the career that I am in, I meet people who are very unwell.
Maybe I feel hopeless. I am a very practical, straight down the line person and I know that when I have a problem I want it fixed ASAP.

I am completely capable to do my job and feel I do the best I can every day. Those who work in public services will know about the superman cape that we put on daily to ensure we do our jobs without breaking down in to a sack of ....

However as soon as the cape comes off, for me, its a different story. I want to feel happy like everyone else does, and to be able to get help like anyone else would without jeopardising my career, but I just don't know how to do that :(

Hospital probably isn't your best bet OP. It's really only there if you're an immediate risk to yourself. All other treatment is available (often better) in the community.

What do you think you need?

I'm not sure what I need, I have tried different options such as CBT and counselling, and have only found them helpful temporarily.

I just want this feeling of needing urgent help to go.

Silly question but what do you need urgent help for? It sounds like you might have anxiety?