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 .

[J957 in reply to MadBunny]

Will do thanks

[MadBunny in reply to J957]

I won't go into detail as its all in the past now. I've moved on, but I went through a very traumatic time and I couldn't have got through it without my excellent union rep. I wish you all the best.

[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

[optimismrus in reply to J957]

Ouch! Sorry to hear you lost your job. I don't get angry easily but I'm angry for you. It's wrong on so many levels. I'd say sue them, but that would mean more stress, frustration and drama. Instead, I encourage you to let go of the past. It can't hurt you anymore. You will recover. And now you're free to choose another path. We're all here for you! 🥰

[J957 in reply to optimismrus]

Oh wow thank you so so much ❤️

[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.

[J957 in reply to worthytobeloved]

Hi thank you yes my doctor and counsellor have written reports for me but all of a dismissed as anxiety and depression according to my pension are curable and not debilitating enough for me to not continue to work.

[worthytobeloved in reply to J957]

That's shocking. Anxiety and depression are only 'curable' by getting the right help and support, otherwise they are debilitating. And even then they are not necessarily 'cured' - it's just that it helps you cope better. I remember one doctor wrote 'acute anxiety' on my sick note, and I was put on incapacity benefit. Can you appeal? Can you get support from anyone, like the CAB? Keep on seeing your doctor, and get any help you can with the anxiety and depression from psychiatrists, counsellors, etc. I live in Birmingham, and there's a church called Carrs Lane that actually has a counselling centre (nothing to do with religion at all - a genuine counselling centre). They charge a pittance, and I found them a tremendous help when I couldn't get it anywhere else. Good luck! Please keep us updated. In the meanwhile, we are all here for you.

[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.

[J957 in reply to shawshankredemention]

Thanks for understanding and your suggestions atm my attendance record is so bad I can’t imagine getting any job and also I will try to look to the future for a time when I can do some of the things you have suggested thank you

[Cup-cake7 in reply to J957]

also supply teaching maybe

Good luck

[J957 in reply to Cup-cake7]

Not well enough atm but thanks

[worthytobeloved in reply to J957]

I understand. You need to get better first. Take or easy - be kind to yourself. Take care. xxx

[worthytobeloved in reply to shawshankredemention]

What a helpful reply! I'm sure Adult Education teaching would be easier, or even private coaching.