Telling a teacher how you feel?

Now that I'm finishing therapy, I want to find someone who knows me that can talk to me. My english teacher has asked if I'm okay, and that if I ever want to talk I can go to her.

I really would like to talk to her (17) because we get on well and I feel like I can trust her. I'm not going to substitute her for my therapist - I've already been referred to another unit. I'd like to give her one of my poems to show her whats going on... Do you think this would be a good or a bad idea?

Thank you

As a teacher, I'll tell you that we are not trained in mental health issues.

So when you open up to her, please keep in mind the possibility that she might not know how to handle anything really extreme or that she might not be able to give you the best advice or reaction.

But if you trust her and are comfortable with her, she'll be touched that you felt comfortable enough to share with you and she will almost certainly try her best to help you, even if that's just sharing conversations with you.

I am also a teacher, and I would not feel at all comfortable working with a student in that capacity. I do not have the training for it, and it really would be out of professional boundaries. I would most likely have to share that information with your counselor and let the school counselor, who is trained, handle the situation.

I think any teacher would be honored that you could confide in them. BUT, they would likely need to refer you to someone else.

sorry if that is not the answer you wanted to hear.

I don't think that your teacher would have offered for you to come talk to her if she didn't mean it. I'd say to trust your gut on this one... if you feel she is a safe person then go for it. Just be cautious as the others mentioned that she might not have training in this area... and I would tread cautiously with how much you disclose right from the start. Feel out the waters with something more benign and see how she responds and go from there.

Good luck!

I think it depends on the teacher. I have confided in a few teachers about REALLY personal things and they have been a great support system. I think that as long as you both are comfortable, then go for it. Message me if you want to talk more.