Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
So I’m struggling at the moment with getting and holding a full-time position with work.
I’ve recently begun a full-time hair dressing apprenticeship (something I DON’T want to do whatsoever, but no where else is accepting me for any kind of work.)
I have no doubt if I tell the employer I’d love to continue this apprenticeship, I’d be let off anyway. Just next month I have 6 hospital/GP appointments. Not including another appointment for a cystoscopy which NEEDS to happen next month as well.
On top of this, I’m frequently hospitalised and in ICU for my illness.
I was getting $290 a fortnight through benefits (which barely helps me pay for all my expenses anyway), but now they’ve suspended these payments for no particular reason. I’ve already avoided spending money on “less-important” medications I have, such as my reflux meds, and even now I’m only taking my anti-depressants every second day to avoid the costs so I can still afford my car registration.
But even better, not only am I not classified as ‘sick enough’ for disability payments, THEY’VE SUSPENDED MY CURRENT PAYMENTS. I have $0 income. Nothing, not a single cent. I have $140 left in my savings. That’s all the money I own.
My medication is roughly that much per month..
This is becoming too difficult for me, I just don’t want to do anything anymore. I can’t go into study because of the strict regulations in the course I want to take, if I miss a certain number of hours I cannot pass, it just isn’t practical for me.
I’m honestly hopeless, I have nearly no worth. I’m not going to be able to pay for my car, rent, phone or meds/appointments. I don’t even know what I could possibly do anymore...
Much love <3
Drake6302, I live in Australia, sorry I know it probably would’ve been beneficial to add that to my post. Typically you would get put on disability if you cannot work or study a certain number of hours per week. Unfortunately I could (technically) work or study full-time, but I wouldn’t be capable of holding that position. Which makes me not eligible.
I might seek assistance or free legal advice if I have access to it.
I still haven’t been given a reason as to why my original payments are suspended so I’m definitely going to need some sort of legal advice from somewhere. I now have about $50 in my savings so it’s safe to say I definitely need to work things out asap
Is it your illness that is keeping you from working, or is it the fact that you need so much time off for drs' appointments etc? Or both? Again, I'm so sorry - I don't know what else to suggest...
It makes it impossible to commit to anything, 30% of the time I’m not even attending doctor appointments because I’m too unwell to leave the house, or the weather might be just a bit too cold and it’s not worth the risk of triggering my asthma. Just the beginning of Feb was the worst exacerbation I’ve had yet, went into resp failure and woke up the next day in ICU on ventilation. And apparently I’m not ill according to our government payment system here in Australia..
I’ve just attempted contacting different places for free legal advice, but a lot of them don’t offer free advice on my situation. I’m hoping I hear back sometime from one of them.
I’ve been avoiding conversation with friends lately because all they tend to be doing is asking for money :/ I do have my boyfriend but I’ve tried talking to him and I really think 80% of it goes over his head, he’s only visited me twice in hospital for the 10+ times I’ve been admitted for the past year and a half.