Is the government betraying disabled people? Feat. Shani Dhanda | Jeremy Vine 

This government has betrayed everyone,except the rich 😢

They're focussing on mental health because you cant see it.

People commit suicide because of depression it is serious, actor robin Williams committed suicide and he was a millionaire.

The disabled guest ( finally) speaks facts and is 100% correct

That guy needs to shut up! People like me who are living with crippling mental health will end up ending their lives if this happens!! It is NOT an excuse, it is a genuine battle with your own brain every single day. Stop the damn stigma! It's no bloody wonder so many people have mental health issues. I have to fight to get out of bed every morning. I struggle to leave my house. I am also disabled physically

As a child I was abused by a neighbour . I'm now 53 and struggle to leave the house because of anxiety and panic DISORDER. Which is different to anxiety and depression. I'm on a waiting list of 4 years just to have an appointment for a mental health assessment. ITS NOT MY FAULT. Now I'm anxious about seeing the postman incase I get my pip removed. This government are evil.

Sunak the bully, who needs to be gone asap

What about the mp who spent 32 million pounds on refurbishing her office on tax payer money ? Why hasnt this been investigated ?

Wilfred talks so much sh'ite.

Dehumanizing the most vulnerable in society is abhorrent it's disgusting!

As for the guy Wilfred saying anxiety needs to be clamped down on. He needs to realise there is a very big difference between anxiousness and an anxiety disorder. Look at the case of Errol Graham. He had severe anxiety to the point he was housebound. They stopped his benefits and he starved to death alone in his flat. That guy is dangerous.

Absolutely horrendous betrayal! There's already been a massive increase in suicides and this sort of crap encourages exactly that sort of result!!!!!!!!!

Whenever someone argues for cutting benefits they will say something along the lines of “huge numbers of people”, I’ve never heard anyone say, X% of people claiming benefits are cheating the system. The argument to cut benefits is always based upon opinion and not evidence.

I am autistic l understand about meltdowns l had good counselling to understand my condition please understand our condition and stop judging us.

The most severe people will have a hell of a time because of this, well said to the two lovely young ladies here x

yes. meanwhile cameron is swanning about on a private jet and half the tory party pay virtually no tax.

whay has being young got to do with anything? mental health has no age limit

There is a huge difference between depression and anxiety disorders and being down and a little fed up. It is purely discrimination against those with mental health issues. As someone who has suffered from depression but has always worked - it is not just dealing with the normal "ups and downs" of life.

This women just said she had a tumour removed from her spine and his reply is “so there’s no job you can do?” How disgusting I lost my 9 year old son to leukaemia in 2020 and I am suffering from ptsd, severe trauma, panic attacks anxiety attacks I don’t leave my house and am still living as we were in lockdown

How dare he..my closest friend who was incredibly successful in life just recently took his own life becauae he cpupd no longer continue! No one knew he was suffering. It's a silent killer and invisible condition. What an ignoramus! Clueless.

The Tories created the anxiety through Covid. They cranked up fear and anxiety to the max and the aftermath has been overwhelming. Of course there will be minorities of folk who were fuloughed etc again done so by the Tories, who decided to jump on the mental health band wagon. This is incredibly frustrating as it's now having a massive impact on the true genuine disabled and those with neuro divergent conditions considered hidden disabilities . These people deserve support not judgement or the hatred sent their way.The Tories and the political classes have taken more from system than any disabled person ever has, they are shameful and a disgrace. What sort of society attacks it most vulnerable Whats next institutionalisation to cut costs. They will pay ar the polls for this and so they should.This is real reason they want rid of the ECHR so that no one has rights and they have a free hand in doing what they want.

When I needed help with anxiety I was not in the state to even cope with applying for pip and there was no one there to assist me with it

It's no wonder we are all suffering depression with the conservative renning this country.

It is sicking that the government is focusing on mental health, especial making anxiety sound like one of these things. If you've ever not been able to leave your home because your heart is ringing in your ears and you can't breath, your sweating, the room is spinning or even every thing gone black because your so stressed out by how you feel Or even over time you get out and your hyperventilating, sweating, crying in shops or out side because the light, noise and crowds are bring on your anxiety. It feels like you will die, at times. but the way people in power talks about it it is nothing, not going to affect you. some people can't work with anxiety and lots of mental heath problems even if they wanted to, you can't stay out the house long enough , stand still or contrate. All this home jobs where are they? I think those who are suffering shouldn't be made suffer more. Those that have never suffered anxiety just don't know half of it.

My Son hung himself in my home was dead for 4 minutes until his mothers CPR worked, he then spent 6 weeks is a Mental Health Hospital and now is home with hardly any support for himself and absolutely none for us.

Their focus is mental health, not 18 -30 mental health. They got themselves into this mess 18 months ago they said they would stop ESA for all without PIP. so people were asked to apply for PIP and low and behold they were eligible. So these peopleshould have been getting extra for yrs so they goverment have saved a fortune. And PIP how can it be easy when they turn you down if you turn up for the interview ( happened to me) I had just got out of a mental health hospital and was refused. And after being treated for 25yrs.so don't say its easy. How can you possibly separate how the state treats you by the words physical or mental. Illness is a illness

I worked from 11 until 41. I suffered an accident at work where I was dead for 6 minutes which caused frontal lobe damage. I also suffer COPD, fibermyalge, osteoarthritis, BPD, Autism, Bipolar, Diabetes, and severe migraine. I am housebound and now am feeling really unwell with terror of what all this will mean.

The problem is that they will punish eveyone and those that abuse the system will continue to do so and those who are genuine will go without like now. It is so hard to be awarded PIP even with medical evidence.

PIP doesn't decide if you are fit or unfit. Only what was ESA did, and now UC under the health care pathway. Like the lady on the panel said, PIP is not an unemployment benefit.

PIP made scandals not so long ago where people were being denied PIP in some cases terminally ill and died not longer after. This government has a short memory, this could lead to people being told to go to work or have PIP withdrawn and possibly lead to significant consequences for them or others.

The government have played a huge part in people's mental health declining with all the madness they put us through

I have profound cerebral palsy, chronic anxiety and depression. I can promise you, depression and anxiety are just as crippling as my CP. Also, I lost two brothers to mental illness.

Do not invite this guy again he is so aggressive and disrespectful.

Yes! These people are the most vulnerable people in this country in what world is taking away pip from these people going to improve there lives they need that money to make their lives bearable this is totally unethical and unacceptable

Shania is lovely and really gets it 👏👏👍

There needs to be more therapist and shorter waiting list. This is what the government should be focusing on.

My 11 year old is suffering with anxiety and depression which is a cause of Autism, education level, and pain. He has had no help. They say he has to have suicidal thoughts to get help. Why allow it to get to far.

I have anxiety and depression too the point I should be claiming PIP but I dont because of the stigma that comes with it and don't think my anxiety could take it being blamed and harassed by people and the goverment why would I benefit and make myself better too have people on the panel like this show and basically blame me "oww it's not you it's the others" and "depression and anxiety aren't real mental illnesses etc.." and I don't why I let those people too get too me I should be claiming the benefit am owed but I don't because of people like rishi I just feel like a failure and after all the suicide attempts now this from the goverment I have never felt less supported by the people who are supposed too be supporting me 😢

Wilfred talks out of his porthole, as usual. He's a typical Tory. I have Asperger's Syndrome and it compromises my everyday life. With Asperger's, I'm prone to anxiety, depression but I receive no support at all.

People, who don’t have depression, then get it, good luck getting help.

There are such a broad range of disabled people and many do not realise how ill some people are. Why should the majority of deserving people suffer because of the minority. Some young people are dangerously depressed and have severe anxiety which cannot be ignored - it should be case by case. The therapists do not work for many. Just talking to someone wouldn't fix a broken arm and doesn't fix a mental disease.

He is also a big part of the problem, many people want to work and would be capable, with adjustments, but most employers have zero interest in employing anyone 'not perfect'.

I like how Wilfred thinks it is as easy as going to the doctor, saying I have depression and/or anxiety (very dismissive attitude towards depression and anxiety there), I want a sick note, take it along to the office and that's it, set for life. Have you ever bothered really talking to them as people and asking what is happening for them? Trying to understand, help or offer support? Have you ever experienced these issues yourself? It is by no means that simple. And it really shows a lack of understanding and knowledge of the process, of the daily life experiences and the reality of life with these issues. Constantly facing that attitude is a big part of it for most people. (Stanford prison experiment). What of those who have been coerced into working when they shouldn't be? So people have been deemed to need support by the governments own system, but now they're basically being told that we can't afford for them to be ill so they'll just have to be ok? I'm sure if it worked that way, there wouldn't be much to discuss. This is like expecting someone with two broken legs to get up and walk, and stop being so lazy. Picking arguments with each other doesn't get us anywhere. Neither does unrealistic expectations based on your own abilities, and not the ability of the person who is ill. Why does the blame and anger lay with the people who are ill, and not the people who create and amend our laws please? It's having to justify the degree of how ill you are that makes it so hostile for people. People constantly questioning and doubting, and the rest. What a shameful act to see someone who is ill, and make them justify it, is this how we treat people now? Let's not forget how many claimants are taking them to court, still, and having decisions overturned. That is high evidence of wrong decision making (and that's just the people that somehow manage the arduous journey through the system long enough to reach the outcome. They have to fight for every bit of support they get, mostly). Including the people that have passed away due to wrong decision making and neglect from the system that was supposed to offer support and maintain a legal duty of care. A system that has devastated families through the loss of those people, did you know about them Wilfred? Do you know how many of them have been lost since not long before the pandemic to present date? A system that is reimbursing a lot of people for wrongfully paying them less than they should have been receiving........ For years. That has created mental health problems in people who have never experienced them before contact with the system, never mind people who already struggled with health issues. Please don't overlook that while mental health may be "invisible" to others, the impact of it is not. It's visible in the changes to that person's personality, demeanor, mood etc. It is also visible in the physical impact it has upon their body. Mental health impacts physical health, and vice versa. For instance, living at a constant high level of stress, produces more cortisol. If those levels stay high over a prolonged period of time, it can impact your metabolism, heart and weaken your immune system. Increasing illness, infection and inflammation, among other things. Please don't forget the waiting lists for children who are experiencing anxiety and depression, that is not counting teenagers and adults.

Vines shirt gives me anxiety, he needs to understand young people are under more pressure than I was growing up. I hate these tory apologists getting away with spewing lies on TV all day

I admit there are people who will abuse the system, but the great majority of people do not and will need the extra support. Without this, they will deteriote or possibly die.

Shani is a legend!!!

Lack of living wages, debt, high living costs, homelessness, bad working conditions and working rights, high energy bill, council tax rises in fact rises in every aspect including fuel and food, covid, brexit, war you can go on and on and on under this government. Over worked underpaid, bullying in the workplace. And this man and many like him who are not even medically trained or have experienced anxiety or depression thinks he has the right to know what people are suffering wether it’s young or old, just because he thinks he knows who has it and who dosnt as an employer shows the disrespect and ignorance of mental health and what it is and also what’s caused it, he’s part of the problem. It’s not normal hardships of life that people are struggling with it’s an entire poorly managed and onslaught of problems these people like him others have caused. It’s shameful to be so arrogant

How much do mps claim on expenses each year . Tax payers are paying for mps heated stables . What does heated stables have to do with mps working expenses .

I've had a stroke. 4 years and I recently applied for PIP. I got the standard payment for daily living but get nothing for mobility even though only half mydody works. Figure that out.

I have aspergers which makes me too terrified to even apply for PIP. They talk as though mental health problems are just anxiety and depression which is a totally ridiculous assumption. All mental health services supplied by NHS or social services have either been stopped or drastically cut.

Traumatic brain injury stroke broken back and they still harass me

Its frighting how misinformed and lack of empathy the government have and some of the people on panel are about mental illness there's different levels of depression and anxiety theres mild up to very severe. If your in the severe bracket you don't get signed off by a GP so that's a misinformed you get signed off bye a psychiatrist with severe mental illness .people need help some have had very abusive childhoods in everyway for most of there childhood this damages you for the rest of your life speaking from experience. And know one ever mentions about people out there on benefits who can't read and wright they don't get offered any help and its nearly impossible to get pip. Its very dangerous the way the government are putting all mental illness under the same bracket with severe depression you can hear voices and see things what are not there. I've taken massive overdoses and been in a coma.

If there are any mistakes on assessment on mental health.. then it lays with the assessors abilities to understand GP/psychology expert reports.. 🙄🙄🤔😎

It's the real disabled that we have to suffer we are genuine and under consultants. Im disabled and im a pensioner and payed into the system for 50yrs.

My son has a terminal cardiac condition! Yet every 3yrs I have to fill in his DLA form for my son! Long, comprehensive form & needing explicit medical evidence! It's impossible to fake! Took 3yrs to get a wheelchair accessible vehicle for my son & had to apply for a £11k grant to even get the van and his mobility DLA taken away! DLA only covers cars, NOT wheelchair accessible vehicles - Vans (WAV) Just to be able to get my son out of the house! No education from the state! I've had to homeschool for 11yrs! And pay for his educational resources! Zero help from the LEA! They said if I take them to the High Court I'd win, but, how can I afford barristers? Exhausting!

It's disgraceful how the Government have gone for the most vulnerable in Society! All them Veterans with PTSD! This Country has been through a lot and is still going through it. The amount of Mental Health issues this Government has caused to the People! Unbelievable!

Assessments are degrading I an an amputee and row DWP do nor snd never have under any government consider a prosthetic leg a walking aid. I cannot walk without mine. The DWP needs reorganising. ITS NOT GROWING BACK!!

Humanity.

So when somebody ends their life through depression up or down

I am already working for looking after my son for his schizophrenia 24/7 and yet I don't get paid not even carer allowance for my support to my son and Pip helps me out with daily living and costs of living yet I don't even know how long I have to live with medical complex and hepatitis I got infected at Bupa by a patient I cared for and only informed me that they had hepatitis after being infected. Bupa never ever paid me any penny for this hazardous event simply because I was a carer and not a nurse yet. Today I suffer a lot of pain and suffering from being injured by aggressive violent patients still never ever compensated from the NHS trust I worked for. It's unfair to treat people with disabilities in such manner. You are just adding up to problems.

replacing PIP income by vouchers wouldn't work and would cause outrage , PIP is for various ways of support and many disabilities are not visible hence easily revoked by DWP. We need to support disabled otherwise we are doomed

Anyone who has applied for PIP knows just how hard it is to fill in the form. You don't just 'get' PIP.

And we're just gonna sit and take it.... hmmm

This wilfrid man hasn't a clue about Depression, stereotyping people, that all people with Depression are just fed up. I have diagnosed depression, mine is a chemical inbalance and need to be on antidepressants. I have been on antidepressants since i was a teenager, never missed a dose. I also have physical health problems and other ailments.

That is absolutely ridiculous… I have a daughter that is only 29 and she tried to kill herself 3 times to date due to mental illness! What is wrong with you? Sometimes and most times people with mental health issues can’t even get a therapist because there aren’t enough that provide the service under NHS and not even private. The cost for a session is between £40 and £80 per hour and without PIP they will not be able to pay for these sessions. She is not on benefits at the present because she has some savings that has been using it to pay for her rent and all the usual bills and soon enough she will have to look for help from the government for certain and this news is making me worry so much and scared of what she may do to herself. I personally have been confined at home because most days I can’t walk, cook or even dress myself. I can’t get a job in this circumstances and I used to work 10 to 12h per day and I don’t feel any pride to be at home and on benefits; I feel less of a person to be honest as I can’t be productive. It makes me feel less and embarrassed and if I could work I would but I can’t.

Is hard to get pip in the first place

People like vine has never done a days work in his life and that wilfred no support in uk funding cuts etc and now this govt is letting someone not qualified to access this torys just waste money

I receive pip and work full time. The comment " go talk to a therapist ". I have been on a waiting list for years , but there was a comment there about it being attacked because you can't see it is 100% spot on

It is obvious Jeremy that people struggle with different levels/intensities of anxiety and depression. Detail please! Nuance????? Also - I don't know his name - but the black guy waffling on seems to think ppl get PIP as a result of their GP giving them a sick note. He doesn't even know how the system works!

I think this is my first time seeing Shani, but I love her already. 🙏

I'm diagnosed with complicated ptsd after 43 years as a coastguard. To many suicides to deal with. I lost my sister in law few months later my sister then my brother. We then went into lock down and my wife had a major stroke. I am now just a full time carer. I applied for pip was told I was not on medication (which is on the list of medication I take.) Was told I was laughing and joking during interview (which during which I was struggling to suppress a panic attack) I got zero points. Now I'm a scrounger with an mbe off the queen

Not every case of anxiety and depression is the same. Whenever I received praise for the standard and quality of my work I would often feel undeserving of the praise and attempt to unalive myself, an average 3 times a year. After an unfortunate no blame incident as part of a major surgery has left me with minimal use of my left arm I am hoping to get back to my voluntary work. Mental health is rarely as straightforward as some make out. It eventually led to an autism diagnosis at age 50!

Well said Shani! PIP form is so long & comprehensive, it requires medical evidence! It's terrifying when you've worked 30yrs NHS & paid NI! Then become disabled due to the heavy work! Little S&H 40yrs ago! We just had to do it! To care for patients!

Well said my dear i know how you feel. U won't find a employer to take on disability people any way in case something happens they are not covered on the employers insurance

The government needs to put money into the health service for mental health. I am old enough to remember mental health hospitals. My childhood memories were living with someone with this condition. Unless you have this condition or relate to it, you are unable to understand. It needs a doctor to confirm the condition and not someone who hasn’t a clue and untrained. Every person is unique, therefore you can’t just judge them.

My son was in an SEN school since aged 6. He was excluded each year due to his meltdowns and blowouts. It took a lot of anger management and therapies to get the anger under control. I’m desperately trying to get him help now to enable him to become a working member of society. We have to work around his social anxiety/autism/medical issues, since very very young. He attends disabled places like mencap once a week and this is exhausting as he has to mask all day long even though it’s run by people who understand mental health and autism. As a parent, the years of having to FIGHT for help when it’s obviously so desperately needed has taken its toll on me not only as a person but as a parent. It’s blooming exhausting let alone having to battle with the agencies that are put in place to supposedly help! If the help that is on the government website, ie EHCP, training, support etc, was actually put in place for youngsters like my son then we may not be in the situation we are now. I’m unwell myself, with multiple health needs and it’s got to the point where I’ve even considered supported housing for my son as I’m struggling to hold everything together throughout the battles I’ve had on top.

sunacker needs to jog on along with tories,

People conflating the issue…it’s specifically about anxiety and depression in YOUNG folk. Why are they going on about strokes, schizophrenia, physical disabilities, veterans and so forth? Bottom line is that you can’t trust the state to take care of you.

I've just had to leave my job due to mental health, it's not because I'm having a bad day I've had to fight for my kids in court and failed I've been working in job that treats their staff like crap and I've been fighting working work due to Constructive Dismissal and the work place was trying to get rid of me. Mental health is no joke, yes I don't agree that people should play the mental health card because it's now impacting those who do have mental health issues. Stop cutting our NHS and fund them to help up with mental health so we can return to work and be happy doing so. I never took time off work due to the issues at court regarding my children and its got worse over the years which was only 1 year ago, I take this time off to heal and get my mental health dealt with. I think the government needs to live in our shoes, our life style we live in day in day out and let's see how many choose to end their life because nobody gives a crap out us.

when i went for my pip assesment, they told me there not interested in my general health issues that i have going on, and did not give me any phyical exham at all. they were only interested in my mental health issues that i'm suffering. and i was awarded full pip for three years. seems crazy to me, when i'm still waiting for opperations. and this was only three months ago.

I have tried to work and had about 20 different jobs part time and full time .I have two degrees and feel like there are no resonable accomodations to allow me to work .The fact that the government and society in general stigmatises us so severely impacts so much on my ability to just exist in this world. The attitude of people that we are all scamming the system makes me sick.Employers do not understand or care they won't take us on.I have PTSD autism fibromyalgia and probably arthritis I have never recieved the proper care to allow me to function in this world then the government wishes to give us vouchers and grants, cutting off our finances is not the answer.Personally I blame the systematic dismantling of workers rights employers are at fault just as much as this awful government its so short sighted .

I have a tumor in my brain and moving around and severe pains have been a problem apart from severe mental health issues I already have with heart issues already.

Also the person In question on the panel with disabilities should be awarded pip indefinitely

Please replace sunak now, before the general election.

I had open heart surgery for a metal aortic heart valve ..it involves cutting open the stern bone [ribcage] ..when you come out ,you have to take painkillers constantly ..the bone takes time to grow back and heal ..the surgeon recommended be to take 3 months [12 weeks] off work ..i was in agony ....12 weeks later on my first day back at work i was summoned into the managers office and given a written warning ...i told this to the head doctor in my surgery and he went ballistic ..saying if you get any problems ,come and see me .......................that would not apply now ..

That guy is talking out of his…. Because for people to be diagnosed an anxiety and/or depression mental health disorder, they must meet the DSM-5 criteria, so they must display specific symptoms and how much it interferes with a personal basic everyday life in a detrimental way. Having an anxiety disorder is not the same as feeling nervous and anxious in situations where it’s expected and to an expected level of emotion, like being anxious over a test or going on a first date. PTSD until very recently was considered to be an anxiety disorder. Now, would this guy say that is just normal everyday worries?

Severe position vertigo (with no cure) for 16 years (worked all through it), eventually body gave in, and have agoraphobia, severe anxiety and depression, if there's anyone out there who can cure me, then make me an example please!

The only point I agreed with against was that there are people who could work in jobs but wint because they feel the job is below them... However severe anxiety and depression is awful and these people against have no idea the hoops that have to be jumped through to even come close to qualifying... get medical trained assessors in would be a start to assess

BE CORRUPT ATOS CAPITA NEXT PAGES OF LIES

Wilfred is giving me big time anxiety,.

The 18 to 30 needs to be looked into we have people who has serious issues with mental health but having said that a lot of youngsters are having meltdowns over the thought of going to work these people are giving the rest a bad name.

I got turned down for PIP a few weeks after being sectioned under the mental health act and hospitalised for 12 weeks and an official diagnosis . I was on anti psychotics, antidepressants and sedating medicine. I had crisis nurse coming to my home daily to medicate me and still couldn't get help from PIP... NO WAY IS IT AS SIMPLE AS GETTING A DRS NOTE! I'm also physically disabled and still can't claim PIP as i was turned down

How about the benefits not being claimed ,

I hate the fact i am made to feel like a criminal by getting pip - but without it i would end up not working as i would not have the funds to cover my extra costs

Tell them in government to slash their wages

They are absolutely hurting disabled people, isn't there lifes hard enough . 😡

The disabled who need help should be supported

But alcoholcs get pip , which fuels there habits.but there okay & protected with a full fridge each night.

The system of Personal Independence Payment is in a mess. I was notified by government when this payment was supposed to come in changing from Disabled Living Allowance -I'm Still waiting - i qualify under the Getting about / Personal Care Rules. Someone in an office will spot their blunder eventually, but by then Mr Stride will have brought in his new set of payments - all so he can aid his party's rich pals.

How about people who were made long term ill by Covid? Long covid is not a "I decided I dont want to work anymore" condition, it has affected a lot of people differently, either neurologically, physically or mentally, or all. I have just had yet another crash, this is after 4 years of long covid, it renders me useless and bedbound due to the fatigue for days at a time. That can be after as little as fifteen minutes of exerction. Ive now got heart issues, which i never had pre covid; when i worked 40 plus hours over four days in a busy hospital unit (where we were denied PPE , and ran out of sanitiser in Feb/MARCH 2020!) Ive finally got a long covid clinic appointment, which is disgraceful having to wait four years for. Covid has changed my life. I feel ill most of the time, I hardly go out now and struggle to be in social situations. We need help, not be disbeleived and certainly not sanctioned!