Media playback is unsupported on your deviceArtist Alison Lapper has hit out at"appalling" mental health care after revealing school bullies contributed to her son's struggles before his death.His mother posed nude while pregnant with him for a piece of artwork which was mounted on the fourth plinth in London's Trafalgar Square in 2005.
Ms Lapper was born with no arms and shortened legs, which she said became an issue for her son at school.Parys's mental health problems began when he started at secondary school in Sussex and pupils would give him strange looks because of her disability."The teenage years kicked in. He went from a small school to a massive school which I think had an impact," she said.
"We all know teenage years are hard; they change. I could just see my happy kid just disappearing in front of my eyes and not knowing what to do."That wasn't Parys. He didn't go around punching people but obviously that triggered something."The marble sculpture of Ms Lapper by Marc Quinn stood in Trafalgar Square between 2005 and 2007Ms Lapper says she tried to have him moved back closer to her home in Sussex but he was moved to an anorexia unit instead.
offer advice and support. In addition, you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123 . Mind also has a confidential telephone helpline- 0300 123 339 .
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Poor lad
I wonder how this child's school will respond? How did they deal with the alleged bullying?
Poor boy he had more to deal with mentally than most of us do. It's always the same well meaning people tell you that there is help, but you go and try and get it and it's not forthcoming.
Countless children go from small schools to larger secondary schools. They go from being big fish in a small pond to being minnows. Any differences that bullies see will be exploited, it is what they do. You don't have to have 'mental health issues' to be a victim of bullying.
He was 19.
So sad 😞
There is facilities for young people with real mental health like Parys but there isnt enough as they’re all full of attention seeking snowflakes who claim to have mental health issues as it gets them the attention / rewards they crave or gives them an excuse to not have to work!
bullying is part of growing up. If you're unfortunate to be brought up to have thin skin, like in most remoaner middle class families, then it can be a mental strain all of your own doing when people disagree with you.
Very sad. RIP Parys. Sincere condolences to Alison.
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This is so devastating. I was an avid viewer of Child of Our Time and remembered him as this polite, amiable little boy who grew up to be a well spoken young man who was attentive to his mother's condition. Wish Ms Lapper the emotional strength to cope with her loss. RIP Parys.
poor family
Very sad story.
I think this was awful timing. All over the country children are going to secondary schools for the first time today.