Depressed man commits suicide over DWP's "fit for work" ruling, coroner finds

More Than Mortal · September 20, 2015, 06:29:42 PM

IDS is the thorn in my Conservative side.

Quote

A coroner has concluded for the first time that a man with severe mental illness killed himself as a direct result of being found “fit to work” by the Government’s outsourced disability assessors.

Michael O’Sullivan, a 60-year-old father from north London, hanged himself after his disability benefits were removed despite the opinion of three doctors that he was suffering from recurrent depression and certified as unable to work by his GP.

Figures released last month by the Department for Work and Pensions showed that nearly 90 people died every month between 2011 and 2014 after they had been declared fit for employment after undergoing a work capability assessment (WCA).

Ministers insisted that the statistics provided no basis for a link to the Government’s welfare reforms. But it has now emerged that a coroner ruled in the case of Mr O’Sullivan that the WCA and anxiety caused to him by its findings were the direct cause of his death.

Mary Hassell, the senior coroner for inner north London, wrote to the DWP warning that she believed there was a risk of similar deaths in future and demanding preventative action.

And far from being the thorn in just my side, he is the bullet in the loaded gun pointed at the heads of disabled people in the UK.

eggsalad · September 20, 2015, 06:41:39 PM

Well that's properly rage inducing. You'd think someone professional would understand mental illness is in the same league as physical problems.

Mr. Psychologist · September 20, 2015, 07:02:52 PM

If there is a hell, IDS is going to be on the express train all the way there.
Nasty malicious piece of shit.

90 fucking people. Per month. Jesus fucking christ do these bastards have no conscience?
Oh wait, I already know they don't.

Ugh.

Casper · September 21, 2015, 12:13:47 AM

Oss better not get any ideas.

Thun · September 21, 2015, 12:20:29 AM

Wtf, so if working depresses you, you can not work and claim benefits?

Hahahaha very funny Zonda · September 21, 2015, 01:11:10 AM

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Mr. Psychologist · September 21, 2015, 07:38:50 AM

Thank you neko, saved me the trouble of a reply there <_<

More Than Mortal · September 21, 2015, 07:50:27 AM

It's worth noting, however, the fit for work nonsense (while being pretty fucking awful) has only resulted in one confirmed death. A lot of the Left in this country seem to think disabled people are dying by the thousands because of it.

PSU · September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM

Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

challengerX · September 21, 2015, 12:01:16 PM

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Sandtrap · September 21, 2015, 12:11:01 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM

Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

Oh you!

PSU · September 21, 2015, 12:14:08 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:11:01 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM
Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

Oh you!

You think I'm joking?

If you're gonna commit suicide, you're a weak willed individual. You have a mental disorder? Either get over it yourself like I did or Get some fucking meds and move on with your life.

Sandtrap · September 21, 2015, 12:15:41 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:14:08 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:11:01 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM
Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

Oh you!

You think I'm joking?

If you're gonna commit suicide, you're a weak willed individual. You have a mental disorder? Either get over it yourself like I did or Get some fucking meds and move on with your life.

Do you have laughtracks going whenever you say stuff like this?

Cause you need laughtracks.

PSU · September 21, 2015, 12:16:46 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:15:41 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:14:08 PM
Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:11:01 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM
Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

Oh you!

You think I'm joking?

If you're gonna commit suicide, you're a weak willed individual. You have a mental disorder? Either get over it yourself like I did or Get some fucking meds and move on with your life.

Do you have laughtracks going whenever you say stuff like this?

Cause you need laughtracks.

Thanks for your input. If you're going to respond to me in the serious forum, please make it constructive.

Sandtrap · September 21, 2015, 12:19:23 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:16:46 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:15:41 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:14:08 PM
Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:11:01 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM
Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

Oh you!

You think I'm joking?

If you're gonna commit suicide, you're a weak willed individual. You have a mental disorder? Either get over it yourself like I did or Get some fucking meds and move on with your life.

Do you have laughtracks going whenever you say stuff like this?

Cause you need laughtracks.

Thanks for your input. If you're going to respond to me in the serious forum, please make it constructive.

Duly noted. Here's some constructive advice. Take your own advice and man up and do what's neccessary.

Jump off a bridge.

Bonus points if you do a flip.

PSU · September 21, 2015, 12:59:35 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:19:23 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:16:46 PM
Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:15:41 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:14:08 PM
Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:11:01 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM
Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

Oh you!

You think I'm joking?

If you're gonna commit suicide, you're a weak willed individual. You have a mental disorder? Either get over it yourself like I did or Get some fucking meds and move on with your life.

Do you have laughtracks going whenever you say stuff like this?

Cause you need laughtracks.

Thanks for your input. If you're going to respond to me in the serious forum, please make it constructive.

Duly noted. Here's some constructive advice. Take your own advice and man up and do what's neccessary.

Jump off a bridge.

Bonus points if you do a flip.

No thanks bro. Like I said, I'm not a weak minded individual. I'd never commit suicide.

Sandtrap · September 21, 2015, 01:03:25 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:59:35 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:19:23 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:16:46 PM
Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:15:41 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 12:14:08 PM
Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 12:11:01 PM
Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM
Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

Oh you!

You think I'm joking?

If you're gonna commit suicide, you're a weak willed individual. You have a mental disorder? Either get over it yourself like I did or Get some fucking meds and move on with your life.

Do you have laughtracks going whenever you say stuff like this?

Cause you need laughtracks.

Thanks for your input. If you're going to respond to me in the serious forum, please make it constructive.

Duly noted. Here's some constructive advice. Take your own advice and man up and do what's neccessary.

Jump off a bridge.

Bonus points if you do a flip.

No thanks bro. Like I said, I'm not a weak minded individual. I'd never commit suicide.

PSU confirmed for manlet who wouldn't go jumping off a bridge.

And he wouldn't even do a fucking flip.

Spoiler

Ásgeirr · September 21, 2015, 01:14:24 PM

awful...

Mr. Psychologist · September 21, 2015, 01:15:30 PM

Quote from: PSU on September 21, 2015, 09:43:19 AM

Fear of being outdoors?

Shut the fuck up and act like a man. I have had GAD my whole life. Sometimes you need to suck it the fuck up and do what's necessary in life.

I would hope that you know that Anxiety disorders affect people to different degrees, someone can have mild anxiety and someone can have crippling anxiety.

Equally not everyone is as resilient as some, the luckier folks are able to quash their anxiety with willpower and resolve and continue without breaking stride and the unlucky ones can end up hyperventilating on the floor at the prospect of the telephone ringing.

++

Regarding some of the other points ITT

It's not incorrect to say that people who are broken like this, or who commit suicide can be classed as weak willed. What that doesn't entail is the right to hold that against them, nobody chooses to be weak - shit just happens to them and they end up knocked for six. Chances are they need a hand getting up again, it's weakness of course but not by a fault of their own. It's also a good way of someone finding their strength when they do pull through. And very few people can do that all on their own, the lucky ones again.

+++

As to some of the gun jumping and throat leaping that has happened, I'd just highlight this bit that PSU said

Quote

You have a mental disorder? Either get over it yourself like I did or Get some fucking meds and move on with your life.

It's a brash way of saying it, but essentially it's what people should do. If they can overcome their difficulties solo, then kudos to them for being made of sterner stuff. However if they cannot, then chances are they'll need a hand and that will take the form of either a shrink*, some tablets or both.

Accepting that they need help to get up again and carry on isn't exactly easy, hence I wouldn't word it so... strongly... but that's actually the ideal outcome of treatment. Functioning properly again.

As for the KYS banter, it's not exactly in good taste given the thread topic but this is the internet after all.

++++

*A shrink here refers to anyone who gives sound advice and an empathetic ear, you don't have to hold a degree to help someone out of a dark place. Friends and Family all have their roles to play, but if the bigger guns are required that's when the professional shrinks turn up to play <.<

Sandtrap · September 21, 2015, 01:16:08 PM

What's the retirement age in the UK Meta?

60 seems a little steep to still be working. Anybody who's currently 60 in my country is on their pension.

Mr. Psychologist · September 21, 2015, 01:17:54 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 01:16:08 PM

What's the retirement age in the UK Meta?

60 seems a little steep to still be working. Anybody who's currently 60 in my country is on their pension.

65, but it's going to keep creeping up as the years go on.

Sandtrap · September 21, 2015, 01:21:01 PM

Quote from: Mr Psychologist on September 21, 2015, 01:17:54 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 01:16:08 PM
What's the retirement age in the UK Meta?

60 seems a little steep to still be working. Anybody who's currently 60 in my country is on their pension.

65, but it's going to keep creeping up as the years go on.

It's the same here in Canada. The current retirement age is now pushing 68.

But that doesn't mean people who are currently 60 as of today get their pension cut off because the rate has changed today. Then again that's my country. What do you suppose the retirement age was in yours when that guy started working?

Mr. Psychologist · September 21, 2015, 02:33:12 PM

Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 01:21:01 PM

Quote from: Mr Psychologist on September 21, 2015, 01:17:54 PM
Quote from: ⁭⁭⁭⁭Sandtrap on September 21, 2015, 01:16:08 PM
What's the retirement age in the UK Meta?

60 seems a little steep to still be working. Anybody who's currently 60 in my country is on their pension.

65, but it's going to keep creeping up as the years go on.

It's the same here in Canada. The current retirement age is now pushing 68.

But that doesn't mean people who are currently 60 as of today get their pension cut off because the rate has changed today. Then again that's my country. What do you suppose the retirement age was in yours when that guy started working?

Hmm well as I recall it's been 65 for quite a while, so the poor bugger in question wasn't that far away from retirement in any case.
It's more for the current and uprising generations that will be facing the runaway goalposts for retirement. Honestly it doesn't bother me too much, I'd very much intend to (assuming I go into the field I wish to) work until I either die or go doddery beyond repair.