Reporting rules of Medical professionals

[duddley75]

Hey all,

So currently having a few issues in life that I am considering seeking assistance with via medical professionals, not self harm or anything like that.

If I go and see a medical professional, I am worried that this may get reported back and maybe issues with licensing. Does that sort of thing happen?

I really enjoy my shooting and actually takes my mind off work and other stuff etc.

thanks

[S O K A R]

Hey all,

So currently having a few issues in life that I am considering seeking assistance with via medical professionals, not self harm or anything like that.

If I go and see a medical professional, I am worried that this may get reported back and maybe issues with licensing. Does that sort of thing happen?

I really enjoy my shooting and actually takes my mind off work and other stuff etc.

thanks

I had to see a psychologist a few years back at my workplaces request (armed hold up), so I did.
Then when I got my license a couple years back I just had to re-visit said psychologist to get a letter stating I was of stable mind aka not a danger to society and there were no issues.
Got my license just as quick as anyone else, a condition was placed on my license that I would have to provide this letter every 12 months for a period of 3 years.
If there were no issues/flare ups then after 3 years the condition would be removed from my license.
So its not a huge issue.

Not sure if it is the same for nsw, but that's my experience here in tas.

[straightshooter]

duddley75
In NSW "health professionals", not just doctors, are compelled to report a variety issues depending on the profession. Some of those reports may influence a variety of licence holders not just shooters licences.
Be conscious of how anything you complain of may be interpreted or misinterpreted.

[Lazarus]

I don't know details, but I was talking guns with a guy last year, NSW, who had suffered depression after losing his wife, he sought help and within a week the rozzas were at his door to confiscate his licence and guns.
He never got either back.

As I didn't get personal on what he said, he could well have expressed suicidal ideations, in which case, it was probably not a bad idea to remove them.

It's a hard call though, seek help and risk losing you guns or don't and risk losing the plot altogether.

[S O K A R]

Another option is you could join up to one of the various support groups on the likes of Facebook/reddit etc, sure it's not guidance from a professional.
But you may find people who have gone through similar things who can offer some advice, best of all it won't cost you a cent compared to seeing the likes of a psychologist.
Not only that it doesn't risk your gun licence, if you're still a bit weary you can always register an account under a fake name.

But as stated above, always be careful what you say to others when it comes to things like this.

[cz515]

My thoughts on this matter. While men's shed, beyond blue, your mate at the pub help and they are very good options, but at times what you need help with is beyond what they can do. In that situation goto a psychologist or doctor etc.

The thing here is if you are having suicidal thoughts, should you goto a doctor and get proper help, be it just talking or medication. Or hide it from them and then things get really bad and you top yourself off or smoke the person you blame responsible. And get every other LAFO in trouble... plus possibly an innocent person.

[duddley75]

Thanks all for the advice on this.

Will tread carefully.