Emma* spoke to her lead youth worker at one of our youth clubs, to ask for one-to-one support to discuss her mental health issues.
Firstly Emma wanted her youth worker to meet and talk to her step mother about the support the programme would offer. They discussed the purpose of the programme, how it would work and what would happen every week. Emma’s step mother agreed that support, driven by Emma, could help build up her confidence and develop ways to cope that she could use in the future.
Together, Emma and her support worker addressed their different concerns.
“I struggle with my emotions and I feel up and down quite a lot, I’m not very confident because of it”.
They looked at how she could change the way she communicates, to help her cut down the use of bad language and to learn how to socialise with others. Emma also found a variety of ways to manage her emotions, including how to off-load her thoughts onto those she trusts, and how to take a step back and assess emotional situations before acting.
Emma discovered how to think positively and support others, and how to deal with the preconceptions others might have about her because of her mental issues and disabilities. This has helped her build up her confidence enough to consider furthering her education at college or through an apprenticeship. She will be continually
supported by her youth worker and her mental health councillor under CAMHs (Child and Adolescent Mental Health).
“I feel better about leaving school now because I know how to talk to people I haven’t met before and I know that they will be able to see past my mental health issues and disabilities.”
*young person’s name has been changed and actors have been used in photography to protect identity
