Shona

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My Story

"I feel like I've got my daughter back."

My daughter Martha, aged 12, was self-harming as a result of being bullied. She would lock herself in her bedroom and stick black sheets of paper on the windows, so no-one could see in. She was very tearful and unhappy all the time. She was also having panic attacks regularly.

I was very worried about her, because although I’m a Therapist myself, I couldn’t get through to her. We tried CAMHS, but the waiting list for an appointment was around a year.

Luckily, a close friend of mine was involved with Kidscape and recommended Kidscape to me. Kidscape spoke with my daughter very quickly and helped her to realise that she wasn't on her own. She struggled to get involved with the tasks in the group calls, because she was so anxious at the time. She had no motivation to do anything. But she preferred the 121 sessions that we arranged.

We did have to pay privately for her to see a Child Psychiatrist too, but she’s away from the bullies now and she’s learnt some coping strategies to interrupt her negative thoughts. She still has anxiety, but she’s got a good group of friends now and is doing well at school.

I feel like I’ve got my daughter back.

To other parents, children and families in the same situation, I would say don’t give up hope, because the only way from rock bottom is back up. I found keeping a positivity jar helpful. Give your child time and keep talking to them, but not with much pressure, and they will be OK.

 

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