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14 year old took overdose last year, now supposed to be talking about suicide in pshe

3 replies

elliejjtiny · 04/12/2022 16:41

It's called "world views" these days but I thought I would say pshe as that's what it was called when I was at school.

Anyway DS took an overdose last year and very nearly succeeded in killing himself. He was in communication via email with 2 girls from his year at the time and they were understandably very upset by it. One of them may have saved his life as she alerted the school, who alerted me. School were aware of it.

Now I've just had a generic email from the pshe teacher saying that they are going to be talking about suicide in the next 2 weeks in class and watching the Roman Kemp documentary that was on bbc3 last year. The email says that they appreciate it can be a sensitive subject and to let her know if we wish to withdraw ds from that lesson.

I know I'm probably being oversensitive but I'm upset that I didn't get a personal email of reassurance that the subject will be dealt with sensitively from the teacher given ds's history. I'm worried about how ds will cope with the subject and also how he will cope if either of the 2 girls get upset during the lesson.

DS is adamant he doesn't want to be pulled out of the lesson. In typical ds fashion he says he will be "fine" and that he never bothers to join in during world views discussions anyway. I don't know what to do for the best.

OP posts:
InsertUsernameHere · 04/12/2022 16:46

I can understand your worry, but also understand why you DS doesn’t want to get pulled from the lesson. Have either of you watched the documentary? It’s helpful the school has given you some pre warning - how about you watch it together before the lesson? It gives you a chance to see it, and see how your DS responds, it also give him an opportunity to make a truly informed decision about whether he wants to watch it in class.

noblegiraffe · 04/12/2022 16:52

The PSHE teacher may not be aware of your DS's individual situation. The generic email going to all parents is how schools make sure that parents can decide based on their own family circumstances.

It's a good idea to watch the documentary first so that there are no surprises.

IDontWantToBeAPie · 04/12/2022 17:06

Watch it together first.

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