Reese's Story
I just wanted somebody to talk to
“I want to share a time where red tape and borders got in the way of my personal healing journey and relationships that I’ve had.
I was about 16 and living in residential care. I was in a really dark place. I had been in arguments with my family and had lost a friend. I was feeling really depressed and had suicidal ideations.
I went to talk to a care worker of mine who I'd known for two years at the time, and I told him about my thoughts and asked him for help. I just wanted somebody to talk to. And I told him and the first thing he did was call the police, and then the ambulance.
I was put on a 72-hour suicide watch in the hospital. When I came back home, I was isolated from everyone else. I had all my devices taken off me and put into pretty much house arrest, which did some major damage in the long run.
I'm only just now getting back to talking about my eMmotions and going to see therapists, so it had quite a lasting impact.
Unfortunately, the way that the system is built, a lot of people fail to see that we are just kids, and all we need is help and somebody to admit that they care for us and show us that we matter. The system really does need to change.”
Reese’s story, a young person with lived experience of the child protection system (name changed to protect privacy). Photograph provided by Reese.