Why have I been advocating for schools to be open & children’s mental health. I have consent to share this story. My client wants to be heard. I wil be their voice. I assessed an older transient youth who was unable to meet over video due to severe body dysmorphia. 1/7
They are bright & engaging. Client is homeless and is supported by the system. As part of my trauma assessment, we ask about school. It was at this point they broke down in tears saying they are unable to do virtual learning & need a teacher next to them for help/support 2/7
They started sobbing because school is important, but they are currently 2 years behind. They are supposed to be graduating grade 12 this year, but barely passing grade 10 coursework. Still crying, client described the pandemic and online schooling as “heart wrenching.” 3/7
The client commented that they know they are smart & could do well, but the pandemic and school closures threw them completely off track. The client is terrified that they will never graduate because they are so far behind. 4/7
Client left home spring of 2020 during pandemic because they couldn’t remain with their abusive parents. They shared that school was the only safe place & a break from home, but with schools closed, they were unable to remain at home. 5/7
Summer 2020 after school closures and moving out of the home, they were hospitalized after a serious suicide attempt which included ingesting 5 handfuls of pills - 5 handfuls, not 5 pills! 6/7
This is 1 story out of many that I hear all day long. My colleagues can share similar stories. I told the client that people have been trying to advocate for those that don’t have a voice. They looked at me through their tears and said “thank you! 7/7 #childrensmentalhealth
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