Help after rejection for ill health retirement due to depression and anxiety

[J957]

any advice for a UK teacher who has anxiety and depression and can barely function.I am 57 and have just been rejected for I’ll health early retirement. I absolutely cannot work and know it will be impossible to get a post due to my absence record let alone the fact that I can no longer function within a classroom. Any suggestions regarding an appeal ? Please help

[hypercat54]

Aren't you in a union? The NUT? They are the best ones to ask for advice. Also try ACAS. Google it.

Good luck.

[J957 in reply to hypercat54]

As I said the union just said it’s tough

[hypercat54 in reply to J957]

I don't see that in your post?

I wish you luck anyway.

[MadBunny in reply to J957]

That does surprise me. I found my union very helpful and supportive when I was going through a very tough time. After all, that's what we pay our subscription for. I suggest you contact your area rep and discuss it with them .

[Pink308]

I suffer from the same things you do. I am in the USA, and I don't know what is available in your country but I filed a disability claim three years ago with the government. It's under appeal right now so I don't know if I will get paid. I want to encourage you to keep yourself safe and to hang in there.

[J957 in reply to Pink308]

Thank you so much good luck with your appeal xxx

[optimismrus]

Sorry, J957. I went thru this, too, but I was fortunate. I'm in California so things are probably different here. I had to jump thru a lot of hoops, while they tried to discourage me. It was hard. Can you take a leave of absence so you can pull yourself together. hypercat54 gave you good suggestions. I hope you can find support! And I'm glad you shared with us. 🥰

[J957 in reply to optimismrus]

Thanks so much I’ve actually lost my job through absence I appreciate your support

[worthytobeloved]

I really feel for you. And there must be so many people in a similar situation in the UK. Doesn't the word of your doctor help your case? I was in a similar situation, and the Citizens Advice Bureau helped (although I'm not sure they still exist). Just keep on going to your doctor, and try to be referred to a psychiatrist or counsellor. Hopefully get the right antidepressants which will eventually help. Please continue to let us know how you get on. You're in my thoughts. Take care.

[shawshankredemention]

I have suffered with anxiety so I know. I have also taught high school for 27 years. One of the problens is anxiety is self-catastrophizing. You don't know the future. It is very likely that you will get healthy. Anxiety is treatable and this site is testomony for all us who began hopeless, but found hope. Come to this site for support on your journey for overcoming anxiety. Think about how great it will feel in the future when you are free from anxiety. I know that teaching in the classroom is a very emotinally demanding job. There are other jobs related to education, being in the classroom is only one. You could be an online teacher, online tutor. You could write curriculum for many of the educational companies. You could review educational textbooks.