Thanks to KidsXpress, I have my little boy back. – Henry’s* mum
A year ago, my son Henry* was in crisis. We had just moved from Brisbane after fleeing a violent home. He was only eight, but already overwhelmed by anxiety and anger. At school, he couldn’t focus, lashed out at others, and needed to be split across two different campuses – mornings at a behavioural support school, afternoons at our local public school. I was doing my best to hold things together, but I was struggling too. Therapy felt impossible – not just financially, but logistically. I didn’t know what help he needed or how to get it. So when his teacher said, “We’re a KidsXpress school, we can organise help for him”, I felt incredibly relieved.
From the very beginning, Henry was met with kindness and care. Instead of being asked to talk about his feelings, he was invited to explore them through play, music and art, so it didn’t feel like therapy to him. Week by week, he learned to express his needs without exploding. His outbursts became less intense, and he started getting invitations to friend’s houses and parties. For the first time since fleeing his dad, Henry began to feel safe and calm – not just at school, but at home too. And it wasn’t just Henry who felt supported. His teacher was given tools to better understand his behaviour. The school introduced activities that helped all students manage emotions and support one another. Even his classmates began to recognise that Henry’s outbursts weren’t defiance… they were pain. I felt the difference too. I no longer felt judged as a parent.
I often think about what would’ve happened if KidsXpress hadn’t been there, if this support hadn’t existed at his school. Would he have been labelled? Suspended? Excluded? Instead, Henry was met with compassion, consistency and care. And now, he’s not just coping, he’s thriving. In 2024, Henry became one of the first students to access Expressive Therapy through KidsXpress’ new partnership with his local public school in South-West Sydney. His story shows how healing begins with creativity and connection, and raises the question: what happens to children like Henry when support isn’t there?
*Name changed and school deidentified to protect identity. From his mum’s perspective.
