My son would have anxiety attacks starting in grade 3 and self-harmed in these moments at school. He would be sent to the office to sit in a noisy office till the end of school. He would come home red-faced and refused to talk about it. He would make himself sick and beg me to be homeschooled. His teachers only poked the bear when he was stressed out. Only in grade 6 did we finally switch schools, and this new one got all the tests and help in less than a year. With the new school, we had rides to appointments and help from social workers and counsellors, and my son was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. He was put on meds and is a totally different boy a year later. I cry thinking of how blessed we are to have a school (GHP) care for my son like family. He has his bad days, but so do we, and these surveys are proof that we are in the right school at last.
School Phobia and Exclusion
Youth Mental Health Canada
