Foodstamp Worker Comments on My Disability

Nuckingfutz...I'm glad you reported that worker! Who knows how many people she has done this to before you who were too ashamed or scared to speak up?

I recently had a similar experience with a social worker in a new program I've been accepted into. He was taking my history and such, and he was supposed to be the person who would help me reach my goals (emphasis on MY goals), and he said to me "most people with bipolar don't really want to get better, they just make excuses so they can stay sick". There is a mental health drop-in center in our city, and he asked if I'd ever been there. I said I had stopped in a couple of times, but both times there were only a couple of people there so I hadn't been back (also because I have a hard time leaving my apartment). He said "well, you shouldn't hang out with people who are sicker than you. You should hang out with normal people so that you will be motivated to get better.". He also tried to force me into starting on goals that HE made for me.

What really surprised me is that he is retiring soon, which means he has been working with mentally ill people for quite some time. How many people has he shamed in these ways? I did report it to a lady in the program that I trust, and it was reported to his supervisor. I only have to see him again to finish the paperwork, and the lady I mentioned will be with me so I don't have to see him alone. After the paperwork is finished I'll be assigned a different caseworker. I feel bad for all of the people he has probably offended or triggered in the past who weren't able to report him.

Anyhow, there I go rambling again. Like I said, I'm proud of you for speaking up

I must say that I have had so many similar experiences, sometimes with psychiatrists or psychologists, but probably moreso with the next eshalon down the tree, probably where the foodstamps worker sits - with general counsellores or employees of the non-core mental health organisations. I have had shocking things happen and terrible things told to me and terrible abuses of power. There are many times when I come out of consults or activities with them worse off than when I went in. It has certainly meant I could practise my assertiveness skills, which I have had to do many times, to protect myself. But it does get tiring when you feel that your mental health worker is not for ya but agin' ya.