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Getting Support With Mental Health
Dancer
Community Champion Posts: 8,105 Legendary Poster
Hi everyone,
Earlier I was in a conversation on WhatsApp with some of the girls from the SEN Unit at my school. It was a conversation between me and 2 other girls (I will call them A and B.)
This is how the conversation went:
A: How is everyone today?
B: Good
Me: Tired. Didn't get out of bed until nearly 2pm. Only got out of bed because I needed a shower.
A: OK but as your friend are u OK 👍for yes and 👎for no
Me: Honestly struggling with school. And tired.
B: Oh.
Me: Just finding things hard
B: So are you 👎or are you 👍 in a nice way are you OK?
Me: Honestly 👎
A: OK thanks for telling me that you are the best 😘👌☺️🤗
Me: It's just like I am struggling with my mental health. No idea who to talk to.
B: You can talk to me.
Me: You wouldn't understand. Some of the girls at school are quite mean.
B: How?
Me: Does it matter?
B: I want to know.
Me: Maybe you should come into school one day.
B: I can't sorry.
Me: Okay.
Me: Got punched by another year 9 on Thursday. Almost been pushed down the stairs by the same year 9. Been dragged around and pushed a lot by two of the year 9's. Yelled at. Called names. Left out of stuff. Haven't been injured though.
B: Oh.
Me:
Me: Struggling mentally.
B: I feel bad now.
Me: Don't worry about me.
B: I am.
Me: Thanks.
A: I'm so sorry those girls are so mean I'm so sorry 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Me: Thanks.
Me: I feel like I am losing my mind with homework though
Me: I feel like young people need to be made more aware about struggles with mental health.
It took a lot of courage for me to open up about my mental health struggles even to my friends. I feel like I want to get professional support but I don't know how to start a conversation or who to contact. I also worry about confidentiality due to only being 14.
I keep on really struggling with my anxiety and always feeling depressed and traumatised. I think that it is the bullying and a past bereavement that have triggered these emotions.
Thank you everyone for reading. Going to actually try and get some sleep tonight.
"There's a part of me I can't get back. A little girl grew up too fast. All it took was once. I'll never be the same." ~ Demi Lovato
"The way that I have found the light in my life is through the expressive arts because I know that I will be accepted for the way I am." ~ Me
"I'm going to get strong again and see you soon. " ~ Anonymous
"The way that I have found the light in my life is through the expressive arts because I know that I will be accepted for the way I am." ~ Me
"I'm going to get strong again and see you soon. " ~ Anonymous
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Comments
Again sleep well
I have spoken to the school counsellor before but it was mainly about issues around my anger and a phobia that I have. She broke confidentiality twice but it was with my permission. At that time I was only 13 so it was surprising that she kept so much of it confidential.
The school counsellor got furloughed (however you spell it) so I cannot actually talk to her until at least September (and I have to ask my student support officer to arrange the sessions because at my school you have to get a referral from student welfare) but I don't want to bother my student support officer with stuff about my mental health. And my student support officer was also furloughed anyway.
Eventually got to sleep just before 1am.
"The way that I have found the light in my life is through the expressive arts because I know that I will be accepted for the way I am." ~ Me
"I'm going to get strong again and see you soon. " ~ Anonymous
take care, sending you hugs 💜
Lucy
You are all kinds of brave for deciding to reach out, to both your friend's and looking for professional support. You're right it takes a lot of courage to speak about mental health and decide you want to talk to a professional. You are doing so well
I understand that you are worried about your age and confidentiality. You 100% have a right to confidential services at your age and whenever you see a counsellor it's okay to ask lots and lots of questions about their confidentiality policy, keep asking until you feel comfortable that you understand it.
Did you know The Mix has a confidential counselling service that you can do online or over the phone? Have you thought about trying this before?
Also, there are a few other online counselling services for young people - such as Kooth (although it depends on where you live if you can get counselling through Kooth - but pop in your address and see, they will be able to tell you).
Online counselling is a great way to get the support you need. You can do it over the phone or web chat if you are worried about being overheard at home.
I hope this helps, let us know if you have any questions.
Keep being brave and reaching out for the support you need Kasa, so proud of you.
“People who wade into discomfort and vulnerability and tell the truth about their stories are the real badasses.”
- Brene Brown
When I said professional help I meant like longer term support rather than just short term support like the webchat counselling. The Mix has been very helpful but I feel like I will have no support after the 8 weeks of webchat counselling (5 sessions left to go.)
I will consider what you have said to me but I honestly just feel really anxious.
"The way that I have found the light in my life is through the expressive arts because I know that I will be accepted for the way I am." ~ Me
"I'm going to get strong again and see you soon. " ~ Anonymous
You're brave for reaching out for help and sharing how you're feeling here and with your school counsellor, especially when you struggle with your anxiety.
It's understandably scary feeling like you will have no support when your webchat counselling is over, and it's good you're considering some more long term support. I also agree with Italia that there is great support online, even for a few months until lockdown lifts further and more in person support starts opening back again.
It can be scary reaching out for help but you're braver than you think and it's inspiring how open you've been here. We are all here for you.
"The way that I have found the light in my life is through the expressive arts because I know that I will be accepted for the way I am." ~ Me
"I'm going to get strong again and see you soon. " ~ Anonymous
"The way that I have found the light in my life is through the expressive arts because I know that I will be accepted for the way I am." ~ Me
"I'm going to get strong again and see you soon. " ~ Anonymous