Occupational health check for NHS degree

[PoesyCherish]

Sorry, I wasn't sure where to post this. I'm applying to universities to study a degree that leads directly to NHS professional registration at the end and contains a large chunk of clinical placements throughout the 3 years. Any offers are conditional on academic qualifications, DBS check and occupational health check.

Does anyone know if having poor mental health would be a barrier? My depression and anxiety is spiralling. I want to go to my GP about it but I'm worried about the impact this may have on my university application. I suspect much of my poor mental health is related to my current work situation. I'm absolutely fine doing my volunteering with charity / the NHS and none of my volunteer colleagues / volunteer manage suspect a thing (or at least I don't think they would). I really don't think my mental health would affect my ability to study / do clinical placements but I'm so worried it could be perceived that way by occu health.

Is anyone able to advise on this?

Hi I have completed a degree also leading to NHS career. I was also a bit worried about if my MH would cause problems but it really didn’t. I was honest with them, which meant I got help with placements (e.g. didn’t work night shifts). I took time off when I was sick and made it up at the end. It was hard but being honest about your MH is vital to get you through it. Good luck!

Do you think it'd be okay if I asked my GP to refer me to counselling then? What sort of questions did they ask you?

Not NHS, but I had to do this for a teaching job. I was honest and it led to some follow up phone calls but once they knew I was engaging with treatment (for PTSD) they were fine to sign me off.

I believe the current NICE guidelines are for GPs to offer choice for MH issues. When I saw my GP they offered me a choice between medication and CBT. I took both to begin with then came off the medication once the CBT was in place and having a positive effect.

I've recently moved GP surgery so I haven't specifically approached this one yet. I know all previous ones have been open to refer me to counselling. I'm more worried about the potential impact on my university application.

Sure definitely see your GP if you feel you are struggling. Occupational health will see it as a good thing that you are being proactive n getting help

Thanks @Nellyphantastic123. See I was thinking if I didn't get counselling or anything, occupational health would just assume it's well managed by medication. I see what you're saying about counselling though. Do you know if they ask for a report from the GP or anything?

Sometimes they might do but not always. My uni didn’t ask for a GP report but that was before I was diagnosed. Now I have a diagnosis my employer wants a report from my therapist because I’m not medicated , but it should all be fine, it’s just to suggest what things might be useful -adaptations to put in place etc. I also got extra time on assignments which helped hugely - you may have to see disability support at uni about this but well worth it!!