I'm a 15 year old boy and I have been dealing with depression, anxiety and anger management issues for a long time. I have reached a point where I hate leaving the house and even just getting out of bed is difficult. The only thing that can help me do this is my families dog. When I do go outside, I have breakdowns and get severely overwhelmed by people and it is affecting me at school to the point where my attendance is around 60%. I used to see a psychologist however I cannot express how I feel or open up so I told my parents that I am better so they would stop wasting money sending me there since I wasn't gaining anything from it and they insisted on me going despite me saying it wasn't helping (my parents also won't let me be medicated). I feel like a support dog would help me greatly as my family dog has such a big influence on me in the morning. The thing is I'm not sure if I am able to get one or where to get one. I also don't know how to tell my parents since they will tell me to go to a psychologist again which I dread. I've heard you require specific reccomendations from a GP and psychiatrist to get one and since I have stopped treatments I'm not sure I am eligible. If you have any information or advice that might help, whether it's for getting a support dog or even just telling my parents how I feel, I would appreciate you taking some time to share it with me. Thanks.

Hi oz M welcome to the forums and seeking advice and asking a great question.I am not sure of the answer to that how to obtain a support dog but it does sound like it be really good for you.I know my daughters school which is a small country high school of 200 did have emotional support dogs at the school.

I know how hard it is to tell your parents how hard things are for you and that you were thinking about an emotional support dog.I know never told my parents anything that was going on with me.But as parent now i would want my child to tell me how they are really feeling and what they are going through.As a parent you love your children so much and want to help them as much as possible.Maby could write down what you want to talk about with your parents and how you whst sort of help you would like.And find a good moment to talk to them when their isnt any drama going on in the house and your parents are in a good mood and comfortable to talk to for you.

Take care,

Mark.

Hi oz M i just did some research on getting a support dog in Australia.Basically you need a letter from a health professional like your doctor or psychologist saying you have a mental health dissability.Their are a few organizations that supply them that you can contact one in your area.