We hope that you never become physically or mentally ill or disabled, but bad things happen to good people. It's important to know what your rights are and how to get support if the unthinkable happens.

See also:-
Stress, Anxiety & Depression
Employment
Vets & Debt

Disability Rights & Support

Directgov – the government portal

• If you are in work and become disabled

• Sick pay rights

• Who to contact about disability, sickness and carers benefits

• Statutory Sick Pay

• Employment Rights & the Equality Act 2010

• Financial support available to disabled people

Disability Alliance

Benefits checklist for disabled students.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Guide to taking action on disability discrimination in employment, access to goods and services, education, public transport.

Lists organisations that can help.

Mental Health Rights & Support

DirectGov

The Government portal provides information about mental health rights and support in the UK including:

Mental Health: Support while working

Mental Health & the Disability Discrimination Act

Mind

UK’s leading mental health charity, offers advice on the following issues:

Disability Discrimination Act legal briefing

Sane

Sane home page – Aims to help you to explore the options available to help you move forward in your situation and make informed choices.

SANEline tel: 0845 767 8000 (6pm to 11pm every day)

Email service aimed at 16-25 year olds: sanemail@sane.org.uk

Financial Support

Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF)

The Veterinary Benevolent Fund is available to support those who are on or have been on the RCVS register, or their dependents, if they experience financial difficulty due to sickness or disability.

Directgov

Financial support available to disabled people

Disputes in Relation to Private Health Insurance Agreements

Help in dealing with problems with insurance firms in relation to Private Health Insurance agreements may be obtained from the Financial Ombudsman.

Where medical and financial disputes have arisen, advice on your rights to obtain access to your medical and insurance/employment data under the Data Protection Act is available from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Need to Speak to Someone?

Vet Helpline – 07659 811 118

Vet Helpline – Friendly listening service staffed by volunteers with wide experience of the veterinary profession who are there to talk to you in complete confidence about whatever is troubling you.
(local call rates apply, 24hr rapid response answer phone)

The Samaritans – 08457 90 90 90

Samaritans – Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
Email: jo@samaritans.org