A&E with DD14 overdose posting for hand hold please

[Tinkerbellone]

I'm sat with DD14. She's taken 17 paracetamols after social media nastiness from girls at her school.
So worried. We got here within 30 min.
They've given her active charcoal. Has anyone had similar happen? Advice handhold please. I'm single mum and so worried. Xx

So pleased to hear she's been discharged. Hope you are both sleeping now.

As many have shared, there is life after this so I hope that's an encouragement to your DD.

When you've had a chance to think I hope you're able to go to the school and discuss action going forwards. Unfortunately schools vary in how they handle things but I hope yours is supportive.

I would take your daughter out of that school. The main priority is your daughter's life.
I would tell everyone what happened, the school and the bullies parents. If it's through email, then it's in a record. Best of luck to you and your precious girl. There will be better times ahead, you just need to get away from the cause of the stress.

I am so happy to read your dd is home. Hopefully the future will be brighter.

@Solonge What a disgusting way to treat a vulnerable teen. It is credit to your strength that you have managed to use what happened to you to make other people’s lives better.

Yep, similar to an ex friend of mine and her daughter who was part of a group of bullies. The police turning up scared the crap out of the kid.

I'd go there me, kids need a good rattle every now and then.

I don't know how hard it is to take away SM once they have it as mine isn't allowed it yet. But I think that SM is no good for young brains. I'd consider getting it deleted after all the proof has been extracted.

I've been through the same OP, if you want to PM feel free. It's hard and you need to give yourself time to cry, I cried on the ward staff for about 20 minutes. Your DD is in the right place, and it's awful but what's she's done will escalate support for her.

Oh you poor things, we took our dd out of school due to bullying. Get her signed off with mental health, but DO NOT remove her from school roll, they will try to force you to do this, the local authority is then by law made to supply 15 hours a week of home tuition, if you can top this up with a tutor, the education dept will also still have to enter her for exams, even if it maths and English.
best move we made, scary, as got no support, but plodded on, dd never gave up, to start with a lot of cake making with me and walks with the dog, but she sat 3 exams, then wanted to do Alevals we looked at schools 40 mins away in new area, they gave her a chance and she’s just finished them.
please please don’t send her back, you can message me xx

Thank you. I think many of us crying for help can turn it into a positive.

There are other options for her education as 141mum says above but it’s very hard to get the information you need about them. The advice above from 141mum will help you. We found out later that our child could have attended a nearby college at 14 for her GCSEs. That might be an option for your daughter. College in a different town is very different from school. Wishing you both all the best.

Lovely, positive and helpful post.

I'm so very pleased you and your DD are home.

I think you would be absolutely justified in escalating this to the police if that is what you feel is needed, likewise as high as possible in the school. What utter shuts these children are.

In your position I think I would also consider withdrawing her from school. If you can afford it there are online schools like InterHigh that could enable her to continue her education and recover mentally.

Good luck to you both.

Sorry, ignore what I said about withdrawing her from school - sounds like a PP is much better informed about the best way to go about this e.g getting her signed off rather than deregistering

Virtual handhold here - from fellow single parent. It is so tough being strong at such times - bad enough when they fall out with their friends - but self-harm really hard (but also very common) and yes, as some have said teenangers can be brutal.

Good that discharge has happened - things put in place. Time to cling to each other - wrap yourselves up in duvets - watch films etc. Fruit smoothies maybe useful to order in or maybe flavoured Kefir if stomachs fragile (and that is both of you, you've had a dreadful shock - and we do tend to blame ourselves - as parents, please don't).

And you will still have a lot to do to put plans in place as single parent I know.

A few things that might help - it is June so school year nearly over for most of us - makes sense the plan that previous poster has said about home schooling. Although I do know of a friend whose daughter went through this - and their DD wanted to go back to school - after certain things were resolved.

Either way - you are probably rushed off your feet but perhaps contact the Parents Helpline on Young Minds. 0808 802 5544
9.30 till 4 monday to friday.

They also have a webchat.

Also this book

www.amazon.co.uk/Cope-When-Your-Child-Cant-ebook/dp/B0962XFG2J

'How to cope when your child can't - hope and comfort for parents'. don't know if this book is on Audible it might be.

You will get through this stronger. As tough as it is - going forward it means you will be talking more about mental health which as every single one of us needs and there should be no shame attached to that.

At the cinema yesterday I watched a hard hitting ad from Campaign Against Living Miserably - with videos of people who seemed to be coping on the outside but weren't.

We all need to talk about it. Parents and Young People have been put under such pressure in the pandemic. Single parents even more so. I've said to my DD many times I don't care about results - we'll just try to get through with mental health okay. That's the main thing.

Hold each other close eh.

Virtual hug

Cyber bullying is a crime, as a pp said. It might be worth asking the police to have an informal chat with the culprits and their parents.

I agree.

It's too serious to deal with in any other way.

Glad that you are both home Op.

The other kids should be expelled & their parents sorting out alternative education.

Doesn't seem to fall on the perps though does it?

DS drank some Calpol aged 9 ... We too got to Casualty within 30 mins, but they gave him an emetic at once, no activated charcoal, and blood tests a few hours later, Thankfully due to emetic, he was fine.

Paracetamol is dangerous {according to the GP I phoned} as it can cause serious liver failure days later , hence the urgency of getting to casualty as soon as possible, which you have done.

Hope your Daughter gets help for her emotional health as well.

I'm so glad she's recovering.

Don't be scared of taking her out of school - I did with my eldest when she was being bullied and school weren't dealing with it. My refusal to send her in got the local Education dept involved and we ended up being able to get a managed move for her to another school who had excellent pastoral care in place.

Wishing you both well

Re cyberbullying don't forget the specialist police unit for against child exploitation and for child protection. It is called CEOP here is the link resources excellent and will help:

www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

The site walks you through info and expert advice also for those who are not get ready to report. Works with schools. Better than going through local beat team.

links there also to NSPCC site if it is bullying

I'm so sorry OP. My advice would be to not officially remove her from school because then you have no rights, keep her in the education system but don't send her in on the basis that they can't guarantee her safety. Are there any other schools in the area she could move to? Get her school to help you with her options, go in yourself without her and speak to the SENCO, her head of year or anyone else who is likely to be sympathetic and helpful. Good luck xxx

Hi everyone. Again, thank you for everyone who took the time to message and help and encourage.
She's really shattered and is just sleeping and sleeping at the moment.
Is this normal so you think? She's eating and drinking normally. X

I think so OP. She probably needs time to rest and recover and so do you. Be gentle with yourself over the next few days and start looking for some support for you too. If you’re worried about her call CAMHS, they should have a duty worker who can call you back. I assume they discharged you with a number to call and a safety plan for home? If not, make sure you do get a lock box for medications etc.

I react to stressful situations by sleeping. Most of the time I don't sleep well but when someone crashed into my car I was in bed for the best part of 24 hours.

totally normal and advisable.

Teens need their sleep even without this.

Be very happy that she is sleeping peacefully.

Rest too. Rejig your priorities hon.

Mine is sixteen and I am at my happiest when she is snoring!

Mum things needed - her favourite food?

big hug for you

How is your DD OP?