My son had a psychotic episode two weeks before his 12th birthday. It’s been almost two years, and his mental health recovery has been slow. The first day of grade 7, he curled up in a ball on the floor outside the office, with his hood pulled over his head. People and other kids were staring at him. An Educational Assistant (EA) came over and demanded he remove his hood because it violates school policy. I informed her he was unwell and not coping. Removing the hood would cause further stress. She looked at me and said, “Oh. This is that boy we got an email about.” Two more EAs came over to stare. No one offered him comfort or tried to help him. I had to take him home that day, and even though his teacher in his specialized classroom, when he’s there, is great, the damage was done. My son has been in psych, and a day program, and a hospital stay. He’s been to school maybe 20 days in two years. There’s not much support in our school system. When he’s struggling, he just stays home; otherwise, the school just calls me to get him. There are no resources for him.
School Phobia and Exclusion
Youth Mental Health Canada
