VA Tech/Mental Health/Privacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2005
VA Tech/Mental Health/Privacy
6
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 11:09am

I have been hearing alot in the media and at work about the role mental illness may played in causing this tragedy, and what can be done to assist mentally ill students. My concern is in regards to the prejudice that still exist around mental illness and the debate that a persons right to privacy should be overlooked if they suffer from certain " potentially violent mental illness".

I dont broadcast the fact that i am bipolar II or have GAD and this incident has made me even more wary. Will people who have a mental illness be singled out as 'potentially dangerous' even if they are managing it correctly with therapy, medications etc.? Where does the right to a individual privacy give way to public safety? Do you think that instead of increasing awareness and understanding will result from this or that there will be a phenomenon of over-compensation, over-correction and misdirected policy/safety procedures?

I just wonder what the impact of this one mans actions will have on the mental health community and how the perception of those with mental health issues will be helped or hindered.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Fri, 04-20-2007 - 4:05pm

Only time will tell, but brace yourself for a witch hunt!

The problems will not be from the mental health community. They already know that violence from the mentally ill is very rare. However, they now have the responsibility to broadcast this fact to the people who don't know: everyone else. If they don't, folks like us will be victims of discrimination from schools, employers, and institutions of all kinds, as if we weren't already.

It has started already. I saw a report on NBC Nightly News last night saying what the responsibilities of schools were if a student was mentally ill to tell other students for their safety. GIVE ME A BREAK! Where is NIMH at a time like this?!

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Sat, 04-21-2007 - 12:24am

Just had a discussion about this with my tdoc!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Sat, 04-21-2007 - 11:40pm

I am a prime example of such a situation. Back in March a co-worker of mine turned me in for being on anti-depressants. My supervisors told me I had to go see a workers comp doctor to be cleared to drive my bus. The workers comp doctor wouldn't clear me because the meds I'm on may "slow my reaction time" or may be too sedating. So she in turn told me I had to get these specialized tests although she couldn't give me the name of any doctors in the area who actually do these tests. It took me two weeks to find a doctor who would do them and another two weeks before I could get in for the initial consultation before the tests could be done.


Now, this begs the question which would my employer rather have: Me on meds and competent and able to do my job, which I clearly have up until this point in time - my evaluations reflect this. OR would they rather have me go off of my meds and have an episode that could put the children in harms way?


My question is what gives these people the right to even wield this kind of power over me? Isn't that what HIPPA is for? But I've been "branded" as being bipolar now and am being scrutinized for it. I've been out of work for a little over a month now without pay. The doc that administered these tests told me flat out when I went in the day of the tests that the county had no cause to take me off the bus. And I have no recourse. I can't afford a lawyer, because if I did I'd be suing the county for lost wages and reimbursement for the cost of the testing. 700 t/f questions cost $1850. Unbelievable. But this is the only doc in the area that does these tests so I had to beg borrow and steal to get the money to pay for the tests so I can get back to work for these people.


We should not be persecuted because we have a mental illness. We should be encouraged to seek or continue to participate in therapy and see a pdoc to maintain stability. When in turn it seems like as soon as an employer finds out about it they look for ways to get rid of you. I am really starting to think the school system wants me to resign. I refuse to do so. If they don't want me to drive a bus for them they are going to have to come up with a bona fide reason to terminate me. I don't think these tests that I just took are going to give them the ammunition they are looking for.


This whole mess is why I never told my supervisors I was bipolar. Someone overheard me talking to a friend of mine while we were waiting for the students to board the buses and decided to inform my supervisors to stir up trouble for me. I guess I've learned to keep my mouth shut when there's other bus drivers around because they obviously like to run back to the administration with juicy tid-bits of gossip.


So my 2 cents is don't say anything and hope nobody else says anything either. If you are seeking help and are or working towards stability then keep on working toward that goal. Just keep it to yourself as far as your place of work is concerned. I thought my employers would be understanding if I ever decided to tell them. I never got the chance to tell them but they found out and weren't as understanding as I thought they'd be. I understand that they have the safety of the students in mind, but I've been on meds for 7 years and driving for 6 with a spotless record and excellent evaluations. Now, all of the sudden, now that it's known I'm on bipolar meds there's an issue with my performance. It's just not right!


Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Sun, 04-22-2007 - 6:31pm

Traci,

I know that money is an issue, but if they don't get you back to work soon or if they start hassling you about your BP after you get there, I seriously would consider at least consulting with a lawyer. The problem for me if I were to be in the same situation is that Ohio is an "at will" state. That means that employers can hire you and fire you for absolutely no reason at all if they want. I don't like it, but at the same time, I don't know what anyone could do about it. In your particular case, however, things may be different. My thought would be for you to check the phone book for "legal aid" organizations which can provide free or low cost legal consultation and representation.

You do have rights. You have proven yourself competent. The fact that those you work with and for don't understand BP at all doesn't make you any less worthy of being employed there.

~Dawn

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2005
Mon, 04-23-2007 - 8:19am

I agree with you on that point. The NIMH needs to be more pro active in getting the correct information out. In theory, the media is supposed to present an unbiased respresentation of the facts, they seem to more consumed with sensationalizing/labeling mental illness as 'violent, dangerous or a public safety issue'

The right to privacy is one important factor in convincing people to seek treatment in the first place. I dont think i would have if i thought that my doc's were required to report my condition to the public. Its hard enough to convince people to seek treatment as it is, i would think the NIMH would be a bit more vocal in advocating the rights of patients.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2005
Mon, 04-23-2007 - 8:31am

Traci,

I work for one of the largest work comp insurance companies in the country. I can tell you this. Few if any HIPPA laws apply with regards to work comp. Its a sad truth. I dont know what state you live in but you can file a petition w/the work comp board in your state and with the EEOC for wrongful termination/discrimination. ( http://www.eeoc.gov/ )

I also suggest that you review your companies employment policy to determine if they are 'at will'. You should also write a detailed letter to your CORPORATE HR informing them of your situation as well.

In cases such as these you may want to contact a lawyer that doesnt take fees until the case is closed. I hope that helps. Dont get discourged and try to keep your head up.