URGENT: safeguarding at 18
TW: mentions of sh and suicidal ideation
Spoiler
(edited 11 months ago)
Reply 1
21
I would definitely make an appointment to see your GP. If you say you have some pressing mental health issues in the run up to your exams I think they will see you promptly. GP will be experienced in supporting this type of issue. As to school wellbeing and confidentiality I’m not sure, I reckon they should but it’s a tricky path for them managing this age transition. You could certainly ask if you can speak to them in confidence and should get a truthful answer to that question.
There other thing to say is that there is a way through it, heath is more important than exams and set backs and getting through them part of life.
There other thing to say is that there is a way through it, heath is more important than exams and set backs and getting through them part of life.
Reply 2
Original post
by AnonymousTW: mentions of sh and suicidal ideation
okay, so i've been struggling quite badly for a few years now. however, i've only gotten worse recently. as i'm in year 13, and i have my a levels in literally a month, i am feeling totally and utterly screwed. i haven't been able to focus on revision for months, and the past months have felt like a blur. i don't even know what my life is anymore.
i'm at the point where i really need help. there is a wellbeing team in school, but i'm nervous about opening up in detail about the sh and suicidal ideation. i've tried being vague before, but obviously, the help was totally futile. i know i need to do this. but i can't. i'm so nervous that they'll contact my parents, who would be destroyed over this. they see this sort of thing as a weakness and a character flaw, and them knowing would only make it worse.
i was wondering whether or not the safeguarding policy has changed because i'm now 18? i've looked on the school website, but it only states their safeguarding procedures for children in abuse (which they clarify is 17 and under). i understand that this may be difficult to answer, and i would ask the school, but then they'd safeguard me anyway because i asked, if that makes sense?
i was also contemplating contacting the gp, but:
1. that terrifies me
2. the waiting list would be too long (i would appreciate support before i sit my a-levels so i dont totally fail and screw my entire future over, which the thought of is a huge stressor rn)
side note (less urgent): if any of this could count towards extenuating circumstances, i'd love to know too.
side side note: i'm not in any immediate danger.
thanks!
okay, so i've been struggling quite badly for a few years now. however, i've only gotten worse recently. as i'm in year 13, and i have my a levels in literally a month, i am feeling totally and utterly screwed. i haven't been able to focus on revision for months, and the past months have felt like a blur. i don't even know what my life is anymore.
i'm at the point where i really need help. there is a wellbeing team in school, but i'm nervous about opening up in detail about the sh and suicidal ideation. i've tried being vague before, but obviously, the help was totally futile. i know i need to do this. but i can't. i'm so nervous that they'll contact my parents, who would be destroyed over this. they see this sort of thing as a weakness and a character flaw, and them knowing would only make it worse.
i was wondering whether or not the safeguarding policy has changed because i'm now 18? i've looked on the school website, but it only states their safeguarding procedures for children in abuse (which they clarify is 17 and under). i understand that this may be difficult to answer, and i would ask the school, but then they'd safeguard me anyway because i asked, if that makes sense?
i was also contemplating contacting the gp, but:
1. that terrifies me
2. the waiting list would be too long (i would appreciate support before i sit my a-levels so i dont totally fail and screw my entire future over, which the thought of is a huge stressor rn)
side note (less urgent): if any of this could count towards extenuating circumstances, i'd love to know too.
side side note: i'm not in any immediate danger.
thanks!
Hi there, firstly well done for opening up here - it sounds like you've been recognising how tough things have become for you and although we know it can be scary talking openly about suicidal thoughts and self-harm, it's really important that you're able to get that support you feel you need.
It may be worth speaking with someone at school to ask for more explanation about their information sharing procedures so you can get a clearer idea of what they would and wouldn't share, and with who. It's sometimes helpful to ask as well, if they felt they needed to share any information, would they help you to be involved in that process where possible so you have some knowledge and potentially some control over what decisions are made? This might help you feel more comfortable, as it sounds like it's important that school know given how much this is impacting you and with your exams coming up.
Speaking with your GP would also be something we'd recommend as they often are the front-door to getting further support. There's a handy resource called Doc Ready (https://www.docready.org/#/home) that can offer tips for how to talk with your GP about your mental health, and also help you build a check-list if you want to prepare for an appointment and make sure you get across everything you need to say.
Waiting lists can be difficult, but the sooner a referral can be made, the sooner you're working your way up that list to get the help you need and deserve.
You might also want to have a look at The Hub of Hope which could give you some more ideas of services or organisations that may be able to offer you support aside from just NHS services (https://hubofhope.co.uk/)
There's lots of short-term support available to you that you could access in the meantime - especially if you're wanting support before your a-levels.
Please know that you can reach out to us at HOPELINE247 and we're here to support you with a safe, confidential space to talk about your thoughts of suicide, and what's impacting on them, but also to help you explore how you can try to manage those thoughts and keep yourself safe if things are feeling overwhelming. Part of that conversation might be exploring what support you're looking for in the long-term and working out how best to access that too.
You can call us on 0800 068 4141, text 'HOPE' to 88247 or webchat via www.papyrus-uk.org - we're available 24/7 so please know that you don't have to manage this alone - especially while trying to work out what feels best for you in the long-term when it comes to support.
HOPELINE247 💜
Reply 3
21
Original post
by AnonymousTW: mentions of sh and suicidal ideation
okay, so i've been struggling quite badly for a few years now. however, i've only gotten worse recently. as i'm in year 13, and i have my a levels in literally a month, i am feeling totally and utterly screwed. i haven't been able to focus on revision for months, and the past months have felt like a blur. i don't even know what my life is anymore.
i'm at the point where i really need help. there is a wellbeing team in school, but i'm nervous about opening up in detail about the sh and suicidal ideation. i've tried being vague before, but obviously, the help was totally futile. i know i need to do this. but i can't. i'm so nervous that they'll contact my parents, who would be destroyed over this. they see this sort of thing as a weakness and a character flaw, and them knowing would only make it worse.
i was wondering whether or not the safeguarding policy has changed because i'm now 18? i've looked on the school website, but it only states their safeguarding procedures for children in abuse (which they clarify is 17 and under). i understand that this may be difficult to answer, and i would ask the school, but then they'd safeguard me anyway because i asked, if that makes sense?
i was also contemplating contacting the gp, but:
1. that terrifies me
2. the waiting list would be too long (i would appreciate support before i sit my a-levels so i dont totally fail and screw my entire future over, which the thought of is a huge stressor rn)
side note (less urgent): if any of this could count towards extenuating circumstances, i'd love to know too.
side side note: i'm not in any immediate danger.
thanks!
okay, so i've been struggling quite badly for a few years now. however, i've only gotten worse recently. as i'm in year 13, and i have my a levels in literally a month, i am feeling totally and utterly screwed. i haven't been able to focus on revision for months, and the past months have felt like a blur. i don't even know what my life is anymore.
i'm at the point where i really need help. there is a wellbeing team in school, but i'm nervous about opening up in detail about the sh and suicidal ideation. i've tried being vague before, but obviously, the help was totally futile. i know i need to do this. but i can't. i'm so nervous that they'll contact my parents, who would be destroyed over this. they see this sort of thing as a weakness and a character flaw, and them knowing would only make it worse.
i was wondering whether or not the safeguarding policy has changed because i'm now 18? i've looked on the school website, but it only states their safeguarding procedures for children in abuse (which they clarify is 17 and under). i understand that this may be difficult to answer, and i would ask the school, but then they'd safeguard me anyway because i asked, if that makes sense?
i was also contemplating contacting the gp, but:
1. that terrifies me
2. the waiting list would be too long (i would appreciate support before i sit my a-levels so i dont totally fail and screw my entire future over, which the thought of is a huge stressor rn)
side note (less urgent): if any of this could count towards extenuating circumstances, i'd love to know too.
side side note: i'm not in any immediate danger.
thanks!
you don’t get sectioned just for sui thoughts and mild SH as an adult, as long as you don’t actually have a concrete ‘plan’ to end it. so if that’s what you’re worried about, this might make it easier to talk to your doctor.
Reply 4
There are online chat services you can speak to, it’s quicker and more discreet if you’re keeping it from family. The GP are good but the waiting list is usually a few months but it’s worth asking. I don’t think you have to visit in person you can apply online to the GP therapy service. Also the world won’t end if you don’t get the grades you hoped for. Something I’ve learned is that there is ALWAYS a way around things, you’ll be just fine. Hope that helps
Reply 5
thank you all so much for your responses, it really means a lot.
im not worried about being sectioned, more so about my parents finding out. i understand that most schools would have a duty of care in regards to this sort of thing, and i wouldn't want information to be passed around like im imagining.
im going to try and ring the gp tomorrow, i think. im still terrified. but i know that's exactly why i SHOULD. whether or not i chicken out is another thing, but i have a plan at least going forward - just make the call to try and book an appointment. i haven't been to the gp since getting vaccines, and that was with my mum. it's definitely scary imagining going alone for the first time and trying to keep it a secret!
again, thank you all so much, ill let y'all know if i end up calling (hopefully i will) 🙂
im not worried about being sectioned, more so about my parents finding out. i understand that most schools would have a duty of care in regards to this sort of thing, and i wouldn't want information to be passed around like im imagining.
im going to try and ring the gp tomorrow, i think. im still terrified. but i know that's exactly why i SHOULD. whether or not i chicken out is another thing, but i have a plan at least going forward - just make the call to try and book an appointment. i haven't been to the gp since getting vaccines, and that was with my mum. it's definitely scary imagining going alone for the first time and trying to keep it a secret!
again, thank you all so much, ill let y'all know if i end up calling (hopefully i will) 🙂
Reply 6
Original post
by Anonymousthank you all so much for your responses, it really means a lot.
im not worried about being sectioned, more so about my parents finding out. i understand that most schools would have a duty of care in regards to this sort of thing, and i wouldn't want information to be passed around like im imagining.
im going to try and ring the gp tomorrow, i think. im still terrified. but i know that's exactly why i SHOULD. whether or not i chicken out is another thing, but i have a plan at least going forward - just make the call to try and book an appointment. i haven't been to the gp since getting vaccines, and that was with my mum. it's definitely scary imagining going alone for the first time and trying to keep it a secret!
again, thank you all so much, ill let y'all know if i end up calling (hopefully i will) 🙂
im not worried about being sectioned, more so about my parents finding out. i understand that most schools would have a duty of care in regards to this sort of thing, and i wouldn't want information to be passed around like im imagining.
im going to try and ring the gp tomorrow, i think. im still terrified. but i know that's exactly why i SHOULD. whether or not i chicken out is another thing, but i have a plan at least going forward - just make the call to try and book an appointment. i haven't been to the gp since getting vaccines, and that was with my mum. it's definitely scary imagining going alone for the first time and trying to keep it a secret!
again, thank you all so much, ill let y'all know if i end up calling (hopefully i will) 🙂
They must deal with so many people with the same concerns, trust me it’s fine. Once your exams are over you’ll have a load off you, we’re getting to summer, things are going great 😌 one day this’ll be a memory and you’ll remember how far you’ve come. Something I do idk if this will help, but whenever I’m struggling with something or it gets overwhelming I kinda “zoom out” and act as if I’m looking at myself as a memory and say things out loud like “wow, that was tough, but it made me who I am” “aw, it all worked out” it really helps!!
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