I'm in high school and earlier this year I told a teacher that a friend of mine was depressed and that she had been cutting herself and stuff. The teacher looked into it apparently but no one ever did anything about it. So now what am I suppose to do?
2007-07-23 11:40:48 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
And my guidance counselor knew also, but didn't do anything.
2007-07-23 11:44:43 · update #1
Teachers should report those types of things. Can you leave a note for the counselor? As a teacher, that is where I would refer your friend.
2007-07-23 11:43:29 · answer #1 · answered by bonlwick 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I believe that by law teachers are suppose to report anything that could harm them. At least I know that qualifies when the person is being abused at home. And if a teacher did care about their students, they should do it immediately! There is a possibility that they could have talked to your friend, she just doesn't want to listen. You might talk your friend about it, and might consider asking a counselor to talk to them if their life is in danger.
We had a girl in our community who shot her self this year. She was in her 8th grade year at the Middle School so I didn't know her that well. But from what I heard, she was happy with herself and always had a good attitude about things even though her family didn't have a lot. She was a very pretty girl that I assume showed no signs of doing this to herself. So my advice is get help for your friend before she does to much harm to herself, and so that family doesn't experience the pain this family did.
2007-07-24 00:21:43 · answer #2 · answered by Cassandra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friend must be doing a good job of hiding this behavior or explaining it away.
While the school is required to do something, their hands are tied due to fear of bad publicity, bad "scoring" (a school has to statistically track all this kind of thing, too much of it will lower their ranking and affect funding) and lawsuits from parents.
So they'll do what's legally required, but much of the time they won't "go the extra yard" to help find a solution.
You may want to try saying something about this to your parents. This is the kind of situation where it helps to have parental backup. Either way, informing your friend's parents may be the way to go.
Are you sure they HAVEN'T taken action? Quietly? Informed the parents and they're "taking care of it?" The school can't tell you (legally) the result. And in the end run, it's up to the parents to take care of it. If the school tries to act against their wishes, it can turn into a legal nightmare for them.
Just be prepared to have nothing come of it right now. You have to do what you think best. But it will help in he future to build a "record" of this behavior. Enough of that and eventually, someone will hopefully be forced to take action.
2007-07-23 18:56:46 · answer #3 · answered by Pooka 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your counselor. By law, your teacher did report that... but because it did niot come directly from the friend you are speaking of, it was probably just regarded as a rumor.
2007-07-23 18:44:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you know for a fact that nothing was said or done?they may have conferenced with the kids parents but not have told you. technically, due to privacy laws, they can not talk to you about it and maybe your friend hasn't said anything cause she's embarrassed. even if they've talked to your friend's family and they've tried to help, he/she may still be cutting and depressed. she won't stop just cause someone says so. why not talk to your friend about her depression. if you don't think she's listening or if you are fearful for her, do the right thing and talk to her folks yourself. she won't have to know you did it and i'm sure her parent's will be grateful to know whats going on if they don't already.
2007-07-23 18:53:56 · answer #5 · answered by racer 51 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How do you know nothing was done about it? A teacher/principal/ parent can talk to a kid 'til the cows come home, but no one can be sure that they're going to be able to convince the kids from doing him/herself harm.
2007-07-23 18:43:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Could you talk to your parents...maybe they could give you advice on how to best help your friend. Also... you could try the social worker at school, if your school has one, or a pastor at your church.
And, don't feel bad about "telling" on your friend. Your friend is hurting herself, and things could get much worse if you don't help her.
2007-07-23 21:02:04 · answer #7 · answered by kturner5265 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your guidance counselor. S/He is much more qualified for that kind of stuff.
2007-07-23 18:42:52 · answer #8 · answered by PSU840 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Go to the principal or school nurse.
YOu seem to be the only sound mind in that school with a conscience.
2007-07-23 23:30:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe the school is not trained enough to deal with such a case. Inform child and youth services. Maybe she has problems at home and she needs to talk to someone.
2007-07-23 18:51:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋