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Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor21 June 2016, 1:18 am AEST

Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Hi all @ Utopia here.
Bad day today. Had to attend my two employment agencies today. One is linked to Workcover. The other is linked with Centrelink. I go into the Job network provider this morning to hand in my Centrelink Medical Cert. My Case Manager comes out and asks if I can do any of my study course. I said no I can't. She then starts in on how much money has been spent 'by them' etc etc.
I knew this was her bullying tactic at work. I had seen it before.
So I have handed over an official Centrelink Med Cert that exemps me from work or training for the next 28 days, due to depression with increasing suicidal ideation.
So my Case Manager, having just read through the form and knows my full MI history - I've only been out of hospital for 3 weeks and I'm trying hard to hold things together & do what I need to do to recover..... and here she is trying to give me guilt over the fact I'm not able to continue with the study course.
I got so frustrated and angry and I stormed out.
But the rest of the day was shit - I'd let her get to me. Theb my negative self talk increased. Far too much and fast to cope with. I went home and went to bed.
Does anyone else have experience with Centrelink or Workcover where they just make you feel like a bludger, a nuisance?

21 replies

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In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

1stepup61Senior Contributor21 June 2016, 2:16 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

OMG! Yes! Workers Comp and Centrelink, i have been through it to! Firstly, is your Workcover settled? Just know you gave her a sick note and thats where it ends! Why do you have 2 job agencies? I feel for you as I know how hard it is to face all what you have to do and be ill. I was exactly in the same place as you are now, but as you have seen yourself, the bullying tactics she tried, did not work on you and you saw right through her tactics today and now you have 4weeks to focus on your needs. Good on ya for standing up for yourself, by going in and handing the sick note to her. Can you defer the study course till next year? I tried to go back to study to soon and i could not continue, but like you i tried, but i was not well enough. What is happenning with your treatment? I had suicidal ideation as well and its tough and scary! Are you being followed by an outpatient community mental health team, since its only been 3 Weeks ago? You may need a review, you or your doctor can call them if you need support for yourself. I hope you will write back to me on this site and tell me how you are going? BFN 1Step up

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor21 June 2016, 11:05 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

I was a part time worker when I got injured / sick. I was also the recipient of a part time parenting pension (now called Newstart). Centrelink does not have a function on their computer system for workcover. Therefor, because I receive a part pension & because I was terminated from my employment ( the workplace had met their obligations under the ACT), I have to have a Centrelink job network provider. I also have one through my workcover agency.
I am seeing my local psychologist weekly & I'm wawaiting for an appointment with my psychiatrist, who I haven't spoken to since discharge. He cannot make me an appointment until Alliance (workcover) sends him a letter giving permission for 3 skype sessions out of 4. I live too far away.
Yea I noticed her bullying tactics right away. She bullied me into doing a course I have no interest in. It's just hard sometimes to keep being my own advocate. But I'm going okay today.
Thank you@1stepup.

In response to: Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Unknown userMember21 June 2016, 9:20 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

I'm hoping you'll find this here. It's from tonight topic Tuesday

Thanks @utopia. My son isn't interested in talking to anyone either. I'm so sorry he hurt you tonight. I get hurt when my son says he wishes I could be like other mums. I try to put it in perspective but sometimes it just creates more guilt. Hoping that your son gets past it. If it's any consolation my eldest 3 have gotten past this and it's so much better because they have more empathy but they had their horrid moments too. This one is different for me though as I have no support so I'm feeling it more. Wishing you all the best 😊💜

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Unknown userMember21 June 2016, 9:37 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Hello @utopia

Unfortunately I have heard far too many stories like yours re Centrelink. People who have no understanding or empathy of MI should not be managing or working with people in such a capacity whom are experiencing such vulnerability. It could be enough to push some overtheeedge.

Dont feel bad for letting her get to you - it would upset most. How you could feel better and make better this situation is by speaking to a social worker at Centrelink (they use to have them unless they have changed), and express to her/him how this case manager made you feel - how it distressed you. This may bring about a more positive change for the next person or yourself if you have to deal with this person again. Then you can put this set back behind you and work on your healing - don't give up as it will happen! Sending warm hugs

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor21 June 2016, 9:49 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Thank you @Former-Member.
Unfortunately this case manager is from a disability job search network, so yes, she should know how to speak with someone going through MI. Was good to vent yesterday. Feel better today. I appreciate your kind words

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor21 June 2016, 9:59 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Thank you @Former-Member for your response. After a cry and some time, I went & spoke to him. I told him how hurtful I find that word -- especially at the moment. He explained he didn't mean it that way & I accepted his apology. I remained calm throughout. It was a great talk we had.
It's rare for me to be calm, so I'm proud of myself. Maybe I just needed to air it, have a cry & then move on (not my favorite therapy phrase-but it fits).
It's good to know your older children have become caring adults. I think it demonstrates that you did some great 'mothering' as they were growing up. Fingers crossed your youngest and my boy go the same way. I feel more positive after our talk tonight that he just might be okay. Thank you.

In response to: Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

1stepup61Senior Contributor21 June 2016, 10:32 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

hi utopia, i am glad you spoke to Centrelink Social Worker? That must of felt good to get that out? If you need to ever ask questions about WC, you can leave me a question & i will answer, as this is such a difficult thing to go through. If you have been referred to a workcover job rehab provider, i dont think you need to go through a another one? You could ask the Social Worker to find out do they know your seeing both? I will sign off as i know this is a stressful time and you must need some rest time. Thinking of you Bye for now, Stepup

In response to: Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

1stepup61Senior Contributor21 June 2016, 10:56 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Hi Utopia, I want to say because this is important for you. If you still have an insurer then you are still under workcover. If the insurer is disputing your claim then you can see a Pscyciatrist under medicare but you will need to pay the gap. if you can not afford this then if you feel you need mental health help, go to the nearest emergency department for help, because you are just getting centrelink. What Centrelink does is later if you are entitled to WComp they claim their money back from your settlement/ insurer. i was like you and did not seek Psych support because insurer would not pay, it turned out to be paper work the insurer did not want to do? So, if you need help go to hospital! if you are still within the 12 month window since your injury then you are still WC! If you need advice i can tell you what i did which i learnt the hard way and i would be happy to help someone else if you need it. Bye Stepup

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor22 June 2016, 1:12 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Thank you @onestepup61
My claim for acute stress and depression and PTSD was accepted by workcover in August 2014. So I've been receiving 80% of my part time income since then. Bec it so low (it pays mortgage and house/car insurance) I also get a part parenting pension (which goes for food and bills). Centrelink & Workcover both know I'm with a disability employment network for both of them. Centrelink & Workcover both want me off their books and working. Workcover sends me for psychiatric reviews all the time. Was meant to go this month for another psych review but I was in hospital for MI treatment for 4 weeks. Next month they send me for a new review. They keep hoping to getme off their books, but their psychiatrists all come back saying iI'm sick. So who knows what will happen at this next review - as I am no lobger employed by rhe company who hurt me. But I have employed a lawyer bec workcover never returns my calls when I ask for a copy of Rhe Worksafe Report. Don't think they did one. Even though they had to. So lawyer is getting all the paperwork together. Then we will get workcover to do a full medical review to show % of injury & % of injury impact. When we have all of that (been told will take four months), then we can decide if we take my employer to work.
So yes centrelink is aware of the doubling up on employment networks. But they don't care. Try to get an appointment with both agencies on the one day to save mysef an extra 120km trip..... now that's another story.

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor22 June 2016, 1:15 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Oops. I meant take my employer to court @onestepup61

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