Sam's story
Being a teenager is hard. But add to that friends that become dangerous bullies and feeling like school doesn’t support you, and things can start to feel impossible. That’s what teenhood was like for Sam.
Unsafe and under threat
Unsafe and under threat
Sam faced extreme bullying at school for years, including physical violence and being threatened with a BB gun. After school, the cruelty continued with pictures of knives and other threats being sent through messages and social media.
The pressure and threats of violence left Sam constantly on edge, unable to trust the people around him, and struggling to cope.
It wasn’t bullying; it was torture.
Nowhere to turn
Even though Sam’s parents reported the bullying to his school, they felt ignored too, and nothing changed.
With his confidence and self-esteem completely devastated, Sam’s mental health and wellbeing declined severely. He started to self-harm. Eventually, things got so bad that Sam said that he wanted to end his life, and his desperately worried parents took him to hospital to keep him safe.
I got sent to hospital because I was about to end my life, basically.
Finding the right support
Finding the right support
After leaving hospital, Sam met Nasrin, a specialist support worker from The Children’s Society.
“I remember the first time I met Sam,” Nasrin says. “You could see from the beginning that he felt so hopeless … that he just felt trapped and was wanting a way out.”
“If I didn't get that support, I wouldn't be here.”
Through weekly sessions with Nasrin, Sam began to feel calmer. He learnt how to challenge overpowering thoughts and find joyful things in his life again, as well as joining one of our youth groups.
If I didn't get that support, I wouldn't be here.
A hopeful future ahead
“You could start to see a little flicker of hope in him”, Nasrin says. “There were new peers, there was a purpose for him, something for him to do and take his mind off the school environment and everything that happened there.”
Through this support, Sam rebuilt his confidence, formed positive friendships and found hope for the future.
He might still have bad days but there are good ones as well, and he’s looking forward to college and the future.
Don’t lose hope and don’t give up.
Donate today
Give teens like Sam somewhere to turn right when they need it most. Donate today and you could be the reason a young person can get the support they need to enjoy their teenhood safe, happy, and healthy.
