friend might be suspended because of someone else

[Cosmo]

basicallly the girl i like has very mild schizophrenia, in that she hears voices maybe twice, normally once, a day. she's totally harmless. but a girl in her class has told everyone about her conditions and everyone thinks shes a psycho and the head teacher has told her that she can't come back until her condition is sorted. I know she's not a psycho, but what can i do??

[Kate*]

There isn't much you can do except be there for her, and I doubt she can be suspened for a mental health issue. I'm guessing there are laws against that.

[Pelios]

I agree with Katie you can't really do anything, the teacher probably did that for the security of the class not that she is dangerous but just to play the safe side.

[BDF]

Schools have policies... insurance, all sorts of crap to worry about... that they put before students. Just really be by her side and support her...

Tell her not to allow herself to be pushed about, and don't allow others to push her about. Once branded with a mental illness, even if it's weak, people will start treating you like something innept to make your own rational choices... take away any control you have over your life and bounce you from clinic to clinic. It's a fucked world. You just gotta put your foot down firm, and support her. People might not treat her equally... if she's "branded" with Skitzophrenea, but you aren't branded so they can't possibly dissmiss your opinion and what youve got to say as somethin irrational.

Maybe I exaggerate the issue... but its always good to consider the worst outcome. Never let yourself get pushed about is no.1 rule for me. If u do then people increasingly take advantage.

I hope that helped, and hope this gets worked out.

[FlyingTrue]

Is this a public or a private school? Is there someone higher up that can be consulted about this? Schools do not have the right to discriminate against someone in this way and if they refuse to correct this, a lawyer may be needed.

[BullyPreventionScheme]

Okey, 2 things i see you can do.

Your the only one who understands her, you need to be there for her... and hey, if you like at least you can get closer to her this way, invite her over, blah blah blah you get the idea.

2nd thing you can do is plan out all the reason you know that she's not dangerous.
e.g. for all the time shes been at school she's done nothing bad. And then debate with the headmaster about it, if you can prove shes not a psychopath then you should be abole to get her back in school.

[BDF]

Thinking ahead though... if she does get back into the school.

How well does she get on with the rest of the class?

If she's goin to get bullied for it now, then it might seriously be worth her simply going to another school. I dont know much about pschycology/phscyciatry, but putting someone under stress amplifies their "traits" sometimes so far as Ive noticed with myself mostly.

i.e. if she's mildly skitzophrenic then she might get worse.

BUT, do not take my word on that. Just consider it and check with other peope on here maybe. I dont know if skitzophrenia is degenerative or not.

[Cosmo]

She's been basically kicked out. She can't come back till september, but her psychiatrist says it's better not to board, and she lives too far away to be a day-schooler. So it looks like she won't be coming back. I'm going to go cry myself to sleep.

[FlyingTrue]

It may be time for your friend's family to get a lawyer. The school had no right to make that type of uneducated and arbitrary decision like that based off the word of another student.

[Cosmo]

they don't have the money for a lawyer..

[FlyingTrue]

Then take it to the local news media and let the court of public opinion rule the day.

[BullyPreventionScheme]

Well first of all don't give up, your not going to be attached to school forever. Find a way to talk to her online. Don't give up just because authorities say you should. Do whatever you can, you're your own person, don't let people make choices for you. Esp when they don't know how you feel.

Think, you know your life better than anyone. What can you do for her.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

If her family cannot hire a lawyer, then this is something that if I were in your shoes, I would contact numerous newspapers about. Mental health stigma is a huge issue and if the school is breaking laws on kicking her out or suspending her (which I think they are), then school boards would be very interested in attending to the matter. What is necessary though is the word of a professional, not that of yours or the other students. If her psychiatrist deems her stable enough to continue then the school may have a very big problem on their hands if the media gets a hold of it.

[Cosmo]

I don't think she's coming back. The psychiatrist thinks it's best if she goes to an online school, as she'll 'fit in' better. But we still chat via msn and webcam, and she only lives about an hour away. So I guess it's not that bad...

[BDF]

Originally Posted by WOW!USaidSomethingSmart!

If her family cannot hire a lawyer, then this is something that if I were in your shoes, I would contact numerous newspapers about. Mental health stigma is a huge issue and if the school is breaking laws on kicking her out or suspending her (which I think they are), then school boards would be very interested in attending to the matter. What is necessary though is the word of a professional, not that of yours or the other students. If her psychiatrist deems her stable enough to continue then the school may have a very big problem on their hands if the media gets a hold of it.

Its ok for people who don't mind the media attention. Personally I'd hate it though, but that's me.

[BullyPreventionScheme]

phew ^^ i think thats a resolution, Its alot better than most people with distant friends, You can still see her occasionally which is good.
*thumbs up* You sound like a great friend! She'll be fine! So long as she has you! ^^

[Cosmo]

Yeah. I guess I'm one of her only friends now that she's basically homeschooled

[MegaMadness]

Just be there for her. Support her as much as you can. Let her know that you care about her.