Mayra

School Based Social Work Programs
To make a Difference
by Richard Bermack

May 2002

Mayra’s parents were in the middle of a tumultuous breakup. She was fighting with her boyfriend, internalizing a lot of her problems, and having trouble focusing on school. She joined a student support group.

Mayra describes the effect participation in the support group has had on her: “You realize that you are not alone and that your experiences are really common. It has made me stronger and more confident. If I feel something is wrong, I can stand up for myself more. If my boyfriend tries to do stuff, or tries to control me, I feel more confident to stand up to him and not let him dictate what I have to do. Before I would pretty much let him do things and not talk things through or say, ‘This is what is bothering me.’ We would fight, and then we would forget about it and never solve our problems. The next day they would come back. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep at night or get enough rest. They would keep me from concentrating on school. Now I’m able to tell him, ‘You know that this bothers me,’ or ‘I would like this to end.’

“My boyfriend appreciates it as well. Before, he says, I wouldn’t say anything. Now we talk about things. I tell him what we talked about in the group. It has improved our relationship, and the relationship with my mom as well. Now that I can solve my problems better, it is easier for me to go about my school work.”