Misconceptions About The Disability Sub-community and Mental Health!
Mental Health Is A Disability!
A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).
When does mental health become a disability?
A mental health condition is considered a disability if it has a long-term effect on your normal day-to-day activity.
A mental health condition is considered a disability if it causes that your day to day life can't be similar to day to day life of average healthy person of given age. It means that if a person 40 years old can't work and won't be able to work in coming years due to their mental health condition (unless they live in culture and they are of a social group which isn't expected to work) - (Additional Information Provided by @GentleSun78 - Thankyou!)
This is defined under the Equality Act 2010. States: 'Your condition is 'long term' if it lasts, or is likely to last, 12 months.
Examples of mental illnesses that are classed as disabilities….
- Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias.
- Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.
- Eating disorders.
- Personality disorders.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia
What was the purpose of this post?
My main goal today was to try and inform everyone who doesn't know that mental health illnesses are classed as a disability if they are if they are limiting and effecting your daily living!
It is something you may not wish to believe or accept however when you are being limited by an illness for a significant amount of time this is reducing your ability.
Here on 7 cups many people think they can't join our community or come in the support room to talk about their 'general' struggles.
However I am here to tell you that is not true!
As a community our goal is to be inclusive not exclusive, no matter what your struggles where you are accepted and can come share with us. We provide a safe place to talk about how your daily life is being affected and how you as a person are coping and dealing with your personal situation.
No situations will ever be compared to someone else's situation - Invisible Disabilities are just as important as those who are in wheelchairs.
Please remember you are welcome in our community - it is a family and we all work together to support one another.
Small Disclosure after some feedback: 'This post does not mean that just because you experience mental health issues and illnesses you should feel it meets the criteria of disability - but more to bring awareness and knowledge that it is accepted within our community and it is in some cases this situation.'
Also a little special thank-you to @ComfortableEyes5 - who assisted me toward the end product of this post! <3
Stay Strong and Keep Fighting!
-Joy <3
@JoyfulUnicorn Nice post!
@adventurousBranch3786
Thankyou! <3 I hope it makes people realise and see that they are welcome no matter what <3
Nice and very much educating post.
I only wish to add that we need to define what "normal day-to-day activity" is when we define when mental health condition becomes disability according to Equality act 2010
It is because many people with mental health conditions say that normal is different for every individual.
But in sense of definition on when mental health condition becomes a disability we maybe need to regard that a mental health condition is considered a disability if it causes that your day to day life can't be similar to day to day life of average healthy person of given age. It means that if a person 40 years old can't work and won't be able to work in coming years due to their mental health condition (unless they live in culture and they are of a social group which isn't expected to work), their mental health condition has a long-term effect on their normal day-to-day activity regardless of that their normal day to day activity means that they don't work and live on disability benefits due to their mental health condition.
@gentleSun78
Thankyou for adding and providing this extra information sun! <3
@JoyfulUnicorn
Pawsome message 💗💙❤
@Fireskye13
Thankyou - I am glad you think it is pawsome :P
Jus wanted to say hi everybody, have a pawsome day!
@Fireskye13
Hi to you too!
Hope you are having a pawesome day!
Thankyou for the lovely message and greeting to all who stumble upon this post! <3
-Joy <3
I am trying to work but my mental health condition makes work impossible to fully achieve.
I either work a lot and suffer relationships
I either work a lot and suffer emotionally.
I suffer emotionally and suffer relationships.
I suffer emotionally and suffer work.
I don't do any work and suffer relationships.
I don't do any self care and suffer.
I can't take care of all 3 things at the same time.
@outcastshadows
Self 1st
@outcastshadows
I can hear the frustration, it is not easy. I have hope that you will find more balance. Sometimes we have to take it one day at a time, or as Weedy says, sometimes five minutes at a time. Hang in there. Thank you for sharing.
@outcastshadows
Love you for who you are baby.
I need a better life, a better brain, and a better doctor.
@outcastshadows
Hi Outcast!
Sounds like you are going through a really difficult time! It can be really challenging when we are struggling and wanting things to change! I want you to know that although here on cups we cant fix anything for you - we will be here to listen and support you on your journey - on good and bad days you dont have to suffer alone!
Stay Strong and Keep Fighting!
-Joy <3
@outcastshadows
Feel the brain thing!
@Fireskye13 @JoyfulUnicorn @Helgafy @BlindGrapefruit
Thank you for all the kind words.
@outcastshadows
They are only turth!
Stay strong!
@outcastshadows
Your welcome, I hope they help, hang tough stay pawsome!
@JoyfulUnicorn WOW joy this post is exceptional great job what a great educational post this seriously needs to be seen site wide trying to see if an alert can be set on it
@CaringBrit
I did ask for it to be sent as an alet but was turned down :( maybe they will listen to you - thankyou for the kind words too! Xx
@JoyfulUnicorn and tazzie has alerted it :) for you rlly great job for this ill edit the subcom description to this needs to be on there too
@JoyfulUnicorn Thanks for the informative post. :)
@SilentSerenityy
You are most welcome!
@JoyfulUnicorn Well done!! I like how you made stressed inclusion.
@WeedyGarden
Yes i think it is very important that people realise that health conditions mental or physical does not make you excluded from out community or any community here on cups!
@JoyfulUnicorn
I'm so proud of you joy for making this post and I'm happy that I also provided something towards this post ❤️
. I hope this post helps as many as people 💙
@comfortableEyes5
Thankyou - I really this helps spread the message and reduce the negative image and connotations around the word 'disability! Thankyou for your assistance to and the ongoing support <3