How best to support 17yo boy having a rough back to school
A young person I know had a bottoming out, super depressed and hopeless return to high school.
At end of summer he had a very scary SI incident and subsequent week in a day program with mental health support. As an outsider, he seems like someone who has been through a physical trauma or illness. I imagine he needs a ton of rest and support and a slow return to "normalcy." But senior year has a ton of pressure to be planning for college and that whole process which is overwhelming on a good day.
Has anyone here had a very rough spell and recovered? What was the most helpful thing people around you did (or stopped doing)? Do you need a ton of sleep? Is exercise helpful? Is more exercise more helpful? When someone autistic is already overwhelmed and frustrated, it looks like asking questions and offering a menu of choices makes things worse. Is this your experience?
I feel like I am asking dumb questions. I hope I can make it clear to y'all and ultimately this kid, that I care, that the adults in his life care, and that we would love to figure out how to do better.
Thanks for any wisdom.