Mental Health issues and your FAC

[Deerhunter22]

I applied for my license last year, been told to wait a year which fair enough given the situation, anyways so roll on December. But the FEO was incredible to say the least and incredibly appreciative of what I had to say regards to reasons behind it and was very fair about it and could see the link to causing anxiety.
Of course hoping when I apply again all will be good as been fine for good while and life’s brilliant now

So I’d 2nd what you say, just be up front with it. I think it gives them that confidence your trustworthy sensible.
So to anyone struggling just be honest about your struggles whatever it is if it affects you.

 

[bigtone]

I think the sticking point is when things are withheld from licensing, or things become so severe that self harm is in some way intimated. Quite clearly you have to be exceptionally careful what you say as a FAC holder even at your lowest ebb, as you’d expect. If depression is diagnosed they’ll want to know medication doses, and the length of time it’s been taken. I don’t think that’s unfair.

I have spoken with several people who have had to go off work with stress/anxiety, all of which kept their tickets. They were up front and transparent.

I’d echo previous posters sentiments, what a great and candid opening post. Important conversation.

At the end of the day it's only a hobby,health is far more important.

 

[VSS]

At the end of the day it's only a hobby,health is far more important.

For some people it's also their livelihood.
But agreed, health is far more important.
Whatever we can do to help break down the stigma around mental health (particularly men's mental health) we should do. Nobody should feel unable to speak out or seek help.

 

[MAH]

Please, please don't try and deal with stuff like this on your own if you're struggling. Ask for help!

Good man.
It's fantastic to see a real world account, rather that the conspiracy theories that pop up on here occasionally.

At then end of the day, "the risk" is not about the difficulties life throws at you it's about how you react to them.

Hope your on the mend soon.

M

 

[TRNCNDNT]

Well done for being honest with yourself. I had a period of about 5 weeks off work due to stress during covid where I'd transitioned from a manual 'on-plant' role to writing documentation from home. I hated the new role that I had to do from home, there was hardly any support or mentoring in how to do it since everyone basically 'upped sticks' and left the work site. Because of that it made me fall behind deadlines, which I even compounded further by procrastinating at home due to frustration.

I eventually informed work I needed time off due to stress and then my GP and subsequently firearms department. They were also very supportive and pleased that I had informed them. I emphasised that it was purely work-related stress and I just needed some time away from the place to 'reset'- other than that I wasn't depressed or anything with life in general. They're very understanding and reasonable so long as they can see that you are being honest and transparent.

Honesty is the best policy.