I remember when I went on ESA, I was treated pretty badly, the nurse wrote complete lies in the report, I ended up going onto JSA and got a job, it was the biggest mistake, I needed recovery time and treatment, but once I was in work I was high as kite, until the depression hammer knocked me for 6. This pattern has followed ever since. I only ever went back to ESA once when I was brassic and had no other choice, I used savings to pay my bills, but the second time I went for ESA they said I didnt need to send in any more fit/sick notes for 24 months. Strange because I had been through a lot worse the first time I went on it and they said I was fit for work. The ESA system for people with mental health problems really needs to be looked at, because they are forcing people with mental health into work, when they actually need recovery time. Work most defiantly helps me fight my thoughts so I got back into work a few weeks after my ESA was awarded, I was in serious debt and couldnt really afford to not be in work and convinced myself that I need to stay busy. I often think if the support is there for people when they need it, mental health wouldnt be as debilitating as it is. Waiting Lists for a pyschiatric assessment in a world where ESA are pushing you to go to work, don't really go hand in hand. The worst thing is they dont even have mental health specialists doing these assessments. so how can they know how to award you ESA ?