A mother describes how the pandemic left her daughter with extreme anxiety over returning to school.
A mother has told how months of Covid lockdown restrictions have left her 14-year-old daughter too anxious to return to school.But since they reopened she has called in sick about 220 times and her fears have even led her to self-harm.
The government said it was supporting teachers to help children recover from the emotional impact of the pandemic. "She has become further and further behind where now it's almost a fear of going in because she can't do the work."Louise said she called the school every morning to ensure Maddie was registered as sick to avoid fines, something she found "incredibly difficult"."I asked for a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services referral. I was turned down."Just for her to get dressed and go to school every day would be amazing.
"He isolated himself into his bedroom. He wouldn't communicate with family. It literally destroyed his life," she said.