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Worried about student

5 replies

Thisusernamenotavailable · 02/10/2023 08:42

I teach a musical instrument 1-1. I have a student who I’ve taught since she was a small child. I like her very much. She is now 17 and over the summer break lost a very noticeable amount of weight. I phoned her mother and asked if she was OK. She said she was absolutely fine, a healthy weight and not starving herself. Every week I worry about her. Her eyes are sunken, her cheekbones sticking out, and I can see the outline of what lies under the skin in her hands and arms. It’s like she is disappearing. Her breath smells bad. I haven’t said a word to my student but I am so worried about her. Is there anything I can say or do that won’t make things worse?

OP posts:
1stworldissues · 02/10/2023 08:51

Is the bad breath a new thing? Could be diabetes

Thisusernamenotavailable · 02/10/2023 09:21

I didn’t think of that. But is it my place to bring it up at all?

OP posts:
csiaddict · 02/10/2023 10:47

You could try contacting mum again to see if there are any health problems you should be aware of when teaching lessons or booking in exams etc. as they can make special consideration if she needs extra support. You could phrase it in a 'just updating records, I'm doing this for all my students' kind of way so she doesn't think you're prying. Just in case she has some severe illness and doesn't want to say?
At the end of the day it isn't your responsibility and you have to leave it to mum. As she is 17 and not in immediate danger I doubt overstretched social services or police would have time to investigate this.

INeedNewShoes · 02/10/2023 11:09

You could consider speaking to her school, especially if you have a hunch that the parent is not addressing a potential health issue. School teachers are better equipped than us private tutors to carefully speak to children and put any support in place that might be needed.

Having said that, with a pupil over the age of 16 I did encourage her to see a GP about an issue, but she had brought up the topic with me. It's much trickier if the pupil doesn't open the subject.

Mum5net · 02/10/2023 11:12

Are you in the Musician's Union? They must have an education officer or safe guarding officer? Maybe ask then for guidance?

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