Louise's story
Unpredictable, scary, distressing. These aren’t words that should describe a childhood. But for Louise, that was the reality. She was physically abused by her mother and her parents split up. For years, she tried to get the help she needed. The longer she waited, the harder things got. But thanks to the support she received from Beth, one of our mental health counsellors, and her own determination to survive, Louise’s future is bright.
Physically abusive
Troubled beginnings
Louise grew up in a violent household, where her mother was physically abusive. Her parents split up when Louise was eight and she went to live with her dad, but things were still difficult. For a long time, the family court limited contact with her birth mum to supervised phone calls and messages, which Louise found confusing and upsetting. When her dad started a new relationship, dynamics at home grew more complex.
“I avoided building a relationship with my stepmum because at the time, I still didn’t understand why I wasn’t having a relationship with my birth mum,”
Relationships and friendships
She found relationships and friendships really hard. It was difficult to control her emotions. Louise felt isolated and angry. Sometimes, she would need to smash things, slam doors, anything to get the anger out. She even ran away from home. While other teenagers were hanging out with friends, Louise was struggling with the impact of growing up in an abusive, unpredictable environment.
Everyone thought I was the naughty child I missed a big chunk of my childhood.
When Louise was 15, the decision was taken for her to move into temporary foster care. It was an exhausting and confusing time. At a time when Louise should have been enjoying her childhood, instead she was in crisis.
Getting help
Defining moment
That’s when Louise met Beth, one of our specialist project workers. Louise had already had support from one of our exploitation services, which had helped her to stay safe, but as she transitioned into foster care, it was vital that we could continue to support her in the right way.
Practitioner help
“I’m Beth, a mental health counsellor for The Children’s Society. Heartbreakingly, when I met Louise, she felt that she was too unimportant for anybody to care about. Her childhood was hanging in the balance.”
“I met her when she was 15. She’d reached crisis point. She was moving into temporary foster care, and it was an exhausting, distressing time.”
Beth made me feel at ease Beth made me feel at ease
Child mental health
Louise and Beth worked together for over a year. At the time, Louise was struggling with distressing, intrusive thoughts, which were affecting every area of her life. These kinds of thoughts are common when someone has unprocessed trauma. With Beth, Louise found vital tools to cope with how she was feeling.
“For Louise, I was someone she could trust. Someone who could support her to develop the tools, skills, and support networks she needed to process her emotions.”
“I’m so proud of how hard she has worked to transform her life. But Louise should never have had to wait so long for help. Nationwide, support services are stretched and too many teenagers are still waiting, like Louise did. They desperately need help – before it’s too late."
Louise getting help
A fresh start
At 17, Louise was able to move back in with her dad and step mum. Her relationships are stronger. She’s become the big sister she always wanted to be. Today, Louise has just finished at college. One day, she hopes to become an air stewardess. Her future is so bright.
“Beth was one of the first people to make me feel secure. I’m very proud of where I am now.” Louise
Support systems
Every child – no matter what age – should have someone.
This Christmas, children can’t wait.
Your generosity this Christmas can help prevent mental health crisis. Teenagers are children too. They have the right to mental health support from a trained professional as soon as they need it – and we can provide that vital help.
Together, we can end their wait.
