The Labour Government’s DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper is brutally damaging people’s mental health. Below is one such testimony. If you want to share yours, in confidence, please email
recoveryinthebin@gmail.com
Been on disability for 25 years. Was originally in the “Substantial Risk” group. I’m Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) and have been for a long time I also get High rate mobility Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Standard rate care PIP, moving onto Adult Disability Payment (ADP) this month which will remain the same until I’m re assessed by Social Security Scotland (SSS) in August.
Scotland will lose almost £500 million in social security funding if the proposals go ahead and will have to make similar cuts. But there’s no clarity on that yet. I’ve been diagnosed with several Personality Disorders (PD’s), have been blacklisted by psychiatry, cannot access NHS therapy (but have had plenty in the past). The NHS knows I’ve self harmed since I was a small child. They know I think of suicide, the NHS has no interest in either of those realities. I receive support from a local charity. I have lots of physical health issues; fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), arthritis, migraine etc plenty of the “Dustbin diagnoses”. I receive no support for those either. In some ways the DWP have been more validating than the NHS.
I’m dreading my re assessment in August although it should be easier than the DWP , I’m just so tired. I don’t know if I can face it. I’m thinking about these cuts all the time, it’s always on my mind. Have invested in a large amount of first aid gear as I anticipate an increase in my self harm, which is often life threatening. It hasn’t been a big issue for a while as being finanically secure helps my mental health immensely.
If the cuts go ahead I will lose everything, I will be on £49 a week, will be expected to look for work and will be sanctioned if I don’t.
I cannot work. The DWP has said that for 25 years. I will be made destitute, homeless and there will be no way back from it as there will be no safety net.
I will be obliged to die. I’ve already bought the rope, the pills and know what to do. I’ve been researching and practising. I will have no other option. So now I’m a life clock, a suicide deadline, out of neccesity and obligation. Death will be the only option. I’ll wait till I have to, but maybe I should do it sooner and save myself a lot of stress since it’s inevitable anyway. Either way I have no choice. You can see how my head is in a loop. There is no future. I have new serious health issues I need long term treatment for but why bother? They want me dead, seems pointless to give a shit now. Why bother improving my health. I’m not going to the GP or engaging with the NHS anymore, there’s no point, I’m already dead.
Recovery in the Bin 