I have a friend who is 21 she is unbelievably bright and beautiful she has a 5 year old and is studying for a teaching degree.

At age 11 her stepfather started to sexually abuse her - she told school who contacted social services and they dealt with it appropriately sadly the family denied that anything was happening and my friend ended up going back into the family situation. The abuse continued and then at 13years social services finally had enough proof to remove her and put her into the care of the state.

She hated herself and blamed herself for being taken away from her family who cut her off completely - on her 14th birthday she attempted suicide 3 times because her family didn't even send her a card.

Because of this she was put into a secure residential setting by 15 she was pregnant. Her support workers etc all wanted her to have an abortion her words "I am keeping my child I need a family and someone to love" inspite of everything she has survived on her own and brought up a beautiful well mannered little boy, she has completed college with good grades and is now at University and has a lovely home.

She has become really stressed and is not sleeping or eating - she went to her GP and got some anti-depressants and after 3months went back and said that they were not working and that she was feeling worse and couldn't stop crying. But still she was looking after her little boy.
Last week she got really down and started self harming - she realised that she was in a bad way and went voluntarily into hospital. Her little boy was taken into temporary care.

She was taken off her anti-depressants and not given anything else and sent home to an empty house and she really is struggling and has no idea when or if her little boy will be able to come home anytime soon, and he is her main reason for being.

So if anyone out there can give me any advice to pass on to her - we would be most grateful.
Love to you all
Mx x x