04-28-2021 01:48 PM
04-29-2021 04:00 AM
Hi,
I'm sort of in the same situation. My son doesn't self harm but he's pretty much everything else you wrote. I'm at my wits end with him also. I've tried everything. He has a school sponsored therapist that he's supposed to see but refuses to log in (he's still distance learning) to the visit. So I thought about getting an in person therapist but the closest appointment is at least 6 weeks away. I'm so frustrated as I'm sure you are.
There's really not much help for us right now.
I just wanted to say that I read this and I know what you're going through because we're going through the same. It's so frustrating when you feel as though you're going through it alone, but you're not. I'm here too. Sometimes it's enough to just know you're not alone.
hugs to you and your daughter. It's only temporary, we as adults know that. But I also remember being a teen and feeling so ignored.
04-29-2021 12:39 PM - edited 04-29-2021 12:40 PM
Hi @BeStrong
I'm so sorry to hear about what you and your family have been through. You have all had to endure so much and its incredible to read about your resilience through everything
Good on you for getting support for your daughter through her GP, psychologist and medication. You have been really proactive, and it shows how deeply you care for her wellbeing. You did the right thing by taking her to emergency on Monday, I can imagine this must have been very scary for you both. Is she still accessing these supports? Have you been able to speak to her psychologist about what happened on Monday? It can be good when all supports are able to be looped in on what is happening and work together to support the young person.
In terms of going back to school, it can be very hard to say what the best course of action is, how is she feeling about returning to school? For some young people, school can be a protective factor and a place where they feel safe and valued, for other young people it can have the opposite affect. It could be an idea to try and have a conversation with all parties (you, your daughter, the school, the GP, the psychologist) to try and work out the best, most holistic way to support her. Is this something that might be possible?
Sometimes schools are able to offer a phased-in transition plan where she might only attend a few days a week, until she is ready to attend more. At this point keeping her safe and well is certainly the priority, did the emergency department give you any information about following up?
This must be a really scary time for you and your family, I hope you are able to do something nice and relaxing all together, you all really deserve to take some time out to enjoy each other
04-29-2021 12:51 PM
Hey @singlemomof2
Thanks so much for your post, it is always lovely to see parents writing to support each other and let each other know they aren't alone
So sorry to hear of all your frustrations with getting support for your son, I can imagine you must be quite disappointed in the waiting times. Did you still make an appointment for 6 weeks time?
It must be very tough that your son isn't engaging with his school sponsored therapist, have you spoken to him about why this is? Sometimes it can be worth looking for a different therapist he might gel with more or seeing if the appointment times could be changed to a time of day when he is feeling more up to talking?
I'm not sure if you have tried this already, but it can also be good to check in with his GP to see if there are any other supports available near you that he might be able to access. It sounds like you are doing lots of wonderful things to support him and it's beautiful to read how you have reflected on your own experience as a teenager, what sort of help do you think you would have most benefitted from when you were feeling low as a teen?
Sending big love to both you and @BeStrong
04-29-2021 05:33 PM
04-29-2021 08:39 PM
Hello @BeStrong , it is good to hear that your daughter was okay today and that she was feeling like she wanted to go back to school. I think it is good that you are thinking about setting a practical plan for your daughter as the psychologist had mentioned. Have you been able to talk with your daughter about this plan and what it might look like? It is good that your daughter has still been getting support and that she will be seeing her GP tomorrow too. Hopefully it will be helpful
04-29-2021 09:26 PM
04-29-2021 10:49 PM
Sorry to hear that things have been tricky for you and your daughter lately @BeStrong. You sound like such a caring parent, and it is nice to hear that you have been looking out for your daughter and getting in touch with her school and psychologist about supporting her. It is good that you will be seeing her GP tomorrow for the review, would you feel comfortable talking to them about your daughters recent experiences as well? Could you also possibly talk to them about your concerns about her seeing a psychiatrist and some potential supports or options?
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