Hey guys!! desperately needing some help please!! My darling 11 (almost 12) niece is and has been struggling for quite some time now.. her father is a drug addict ( in and our of jail) has had some very traumatic losses in her life, has absolutely no self esteem, and refuses to go to school.. we are at a loss on what to do? home schooling? professional help? she is aboriginal and very dark skinned and seems to be very embarrassed. she has a very quiet nature. also, she struggles with communicating with anyone. she playes the computer games 24.7 and had 2 little friends but they all kept fighting and she couldn't handle the drama so she stopped talking to them.. suicide has been in our family and we worry tremendously. please help with any suggestions. Thanks so much, really appreciate it. xxx
Anxiety, depression and self esteem issues with 11 year old girl.
Anxiety, depression and self esteem issues with 11 year old girl.
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression
9 Replies
I’d be seeking professional help. She needs a mental health care plan, she needs to see a psychologist and it would help if the psychologist has a history of working with aboriginal people.
Does she have any contact with other aboriginal people?
Contact her school. They should have indigenous educators, in like an aunty or a chappy role that can spend time with her and speak to her. She needs support and a really solid system put in place. People she can talk to. Coping strategies - probably getting all of the issues out and having a professional help her make sense of them, then pass on to the school what she needs.
I was listening to a very interesting podcast today on attachment issues withAdam lane smith. Look him up
She needs a child psychologist and her gaming needs to be cut off. She needs to deal with the issues her and not hide away from it with gaming. Poor kid. Child psychologist would help ASAP.
Get her to see her doctor for a mental health plan and book her into Headspace. They're amazing. Also find out if one of her aboriginal family members/elders/aunties can have a chat with her about her culture and how amazing aboriginal women are.
I would start with professional help and getting her off her games.
I would also hope school her and look out for home school co ops so she can meet some people.
Look at getting her in a club as well, netball, gymnastics, martial arts, swimming. Try some out and find something that is for her.
I wouldn’t be sending her to school when she is this depressed though. It would be too much for her.
She needs to get off the games and tech addiction stat. You’ll notice a big difference in her if you do that.
Good luck. Well done on being her supporter. She needs you.
My 13 year old struggles with depression and anxiety, he is now medicated for his anxiety as it was at the point it was making him physically sick . First talk to your gp , the gp can refer for counciling which helps alot . We also pulled my son from mainstream school and do distance education which is at home but online with teachers still teaching each lesson you do need a computer for this tho . And if you can get your gp to fill out the medical exemption forms for her anxiety Distance ed is free without the exception its 1600 for the year . Distance Education was a huge decision and wasn't one we made lightly so many things to take into consideration, but it has been the best decision we made .
She’s lucky to have you. I’ve been in this exact situation. I took my nephews to the dr, got a mental health plan, then into Counselling, got them into the mentor program at school so they had someone to go to if they needed someone to talk to while not at home. Got them into an activity of their choice and honestly just lots of love, understanding, time, special dates, caring. Honestly really slow and steady and while they still have anxiety they now have the tools to cope, plus they will come to me whenever they need someone. Take care, you sound wonderful, I wish her and your family the best x
As someone as a teen who suffered with depression and anxiety who didn't have the access I have now as an adult to the help I needed thankfully my family helped the best they could to find a place I felt comfortable. I would definitely see a gp and ask for a mental health plan and seek help for her specifically with someone that specialises with young people. If she doesn't like the school she's at see if she can change schools one that will support her connection to country and has a program that will foster her interests in computers, gaming and technology. Once psychology has started and they've fully assessed her they can write a letter to assist in either changing schools or starting the home school process as its for the benefit of her mental and overall physical health.