Dr Melita Ash, in conversation with Simon Scott-Nelson, discusses school-based distress, school avoidance, and how to support children and parents through these challenges. She shares insights on neurodivergence, the impact of school environment, and practical strategies for re-engagement.

Dr Melita Ash brings a level of clarity to school‑based distress that many families have been searching for. She explains why school avoidance isn’t sometimes a behaviour problem but a distress response - and why neurodivergent young people are at the centre of this picture. 92.1% of children experiencing School Distress are neurodivergent, which tells us this isn’t about parenting failure; it’s about a system struggling to meet the needs of the children it serves. Dr Ash’s experience across the NHS, third sector and independent practice gives parents a language for what they’re living through, and a way to understand the emotional load they’ve been carrying.

She also explores what meaningful re‑engagement can look like. Not pressure, not quick fixes, but approaches that help young people feel safe enough to reconnect with learning. From the role of relationships and sensory environments to the importance of listening to a child’s distress signals, Dr Ash offers practical guidance that supports both parents and schools. It’s a conversation that opens the door to understanding rather than judgement, and one that many families will recognise immediately.

Before we begin, a gentle but important message. Across this podcast, we sometimes discuss experiences that may be difficult to hear, including themes that centre around trauma. These conversations are handled with care, but they can still be triggering or emotionally heavy. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and take a pause or step away at any time if you need to. If anything you hear brings up difficult feelings, reaching out to someone you trust or seeking professional support can make a real difference.

We are a peer-connection space focused on shared storytelling, not a medical service or crisis centre. If you are in immediate need, we recommend reaching out to professional emergency services.

Topics
Prevalence of school avoidance post-pandemic
Impact of neurodivergence on school attendance
Role of school environment and relationships
Burnout and prolonged stress in young people
Importance of diagnosis and support plans
Strategies for parents and schools to collaborate
Effects of school environment on identity and social belonging
Reforms in special educational needs support

Chapters
00:00 Understanding School-Based Distress
02:49 The Impact of the Pandemic on School Attendance
05:43 The Role of Neurodivergence in School Avoidance
08:31 Social Dynamics and School Avoidance
11:37 Burnout and Its Effects on Young People
14:37 Rebuilding Connections and Support
17:51 The Need for Educational Reform
20:30 Finding Hope and Alternative Paths
23:45 The Future Beyond Traditional Education
30:45 Understanding Parental Challenges in School Attendance
34:11 The Impact of Attendance Policies on Families
38:38 Navigating the Emotional Toll on Parents
41:13 The Importance of Diagnosis and Support
45:16 School Resources and Support Systems
48:41 Exploring Alternatives to Traditional Schooling
56:33 Reframing Education Beyond Traditional Metrics

Resources
Percuro Psychology - https://percuropsychology.co.uk
Young Minds - https://youngminds.org.uk
National Autistic Society - https://autism.org.uk
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drmelitaash/

Keywords
School avoidance, neurodivergence, mental health, education, parental support, school system, anxiety, burnout, EHCP, school reform

We are a peer-connection space focused on shared storytelling, not a medical service or crisis centre. If you are in immediate need, we recommend reaching out to professional emergency services.

Dr Melita Ash and Simon Scott-Nelson explore what empty-nesting really feels like - not just the emotional punch, but the physiological and psychological shifts that hit both parents and teenagers during this stage. For some, the moment their child leaves home brings a mix of sadness, disorientation or even a sense of being “dumped.” For others, it’s long overdue, and the dominant feeling is excitement, relief or a renewed sense of identity. Both experiences are valid, and both tell us something important about the transition.

They dig into adolescent development and individuation - that messy, necessary process where young people work out who they are, push for independence and test boundaries. Melita explains how dopamine levels shape teen risk-taking, how rebellion lands on parents, and how social media has changed the way teenagers socialise and build identity. They also look at how COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted normal development and how economic realities are influencing when young adults actually leave home.

Alongside the teen perspective, they talk openly about the parent side: identity shifts, the emotional complexity of letting go, and the importance of self-care when your role changes overnight. Melita offers practical ways to balance independence with guidance, keep dialogue open, and support yourself as much as your child during this transition - whether you’re grieving the quiet or secretly enjoying it.

Before we begin, a gentle but important message. Across this podcast, we sometimes discuss experiences that may be difficult to hear, including themes that centre around trauma. These conversations are handled with care, but they can still be triggering or emotionally heavy. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and take a pause or step away at any time if you need to. If anything you hear brings up difficult feelings, reaching out to someone you trust or seeking professional support can make a real difference.

We are a peer-connection space focused on shared storytelling, not a medical service or crisis centre. If you are in immediate need, we recommend reaching out to professional emergency services.

Topics
The psychological impact of children leaving home
Adolescent development and individuation
The role of dopamine in teen risk-taking
Balancing independence and parental guidance
Effects of social media on teen socialisation
Parent identity and self-care during transition
Impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on youth development
Economic and social factors influencing leaving home

Chapters
00:00 Understanding Empty Nesting
02:22 The Transition of Adolescence
05:28 The Role of Social Media in Parenting
08:14 Navigating Parental Identity
11:24 The Impact of Rebellion on Parents
14:20 Finding Balance in Parenting
17:22 Embracing Change in Relationships
20:20 The Journey of Letting Go
25:44 Navigating the Transition to Adulthood
31:30 Embracing Change: The Empty Nest Experience
38:50 The Impact of COVID-19 on Development
43:56 Finding Yourself Again: The Post-Parenting Journey

Resources
Dr. Melita Ash's Website - https://percuropsychology.co.uk/
Dr. Melita Ash's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melita-housley-percuropsychology/

Keywords
Empty nesting, parenting, adolescent development, social media, mental health, parent identity, independence, family dynamics, family, podcast, Simon Scott-Nelson, InSpirrall

We are a peer-connection space focused on shared storytelling, not a medical service or crisis centre. If you are in immediate need, we recommend reaching out to professional emergency services.

In this episode, we explore the reality of workplace bullying through the lived experience of Teresa, who describes enduring it multiple times across her career. Teresa explains how subtle behaviours escalated into constant criticism, isolation, micromanagement, and emotional pressure that followed her home and consumed her life.

From being undermined by a colleague‑turned‑manager to navigating grief under a boss who dismissed her vulnerability, Teresa’s personal account reveals how bullying can erode confidence, distort self‑belief, and turn a job once loved into something she dreaded.

In Teresa’s words, this is her unfiltered journey of how persistent mistreatment can suffocate even the strongest people - and how long it can take to recover.

Before we begin, a gentle but important message. Across this podcast, we sometimes discuss experiences that may be difficult to hear, including themes that centre around trauma. These conversations are handled with care, but they can still be triggering or emotionally heavy. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and take a pause or step away at any time if you need to. If anything you hear brings up difficult feelings, reaching out to someone you trust or seeking professional support can make a real difference.

We are a peer-connection space focused on shared storytelling, not a medical service or crisis centre. If you are in immediate need, we recommend reaching out to professional emergency services.

Topics
Workplace bullying definition and types
Teresa's personal experiences with bullying
Impact of bullying on mental health and self-esteem
Strategies for documenting and confronting bullying
The role of HR and union support in addressing bullying
The importance of record-keeping and evidence gathering
Advice for victims on protecting themselves and seeking help

Chapters
00:00 Understanding Workplace Bullying
07:19 Personal Experiences of Bullying
12:19 The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health
20:01 Navigating Workplace Dynamics
27:39 Confronting the Bully
28:57 Recognising the Signs of Bullying
29:20 The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health
33:13 Confronting Workplace Dynamics
37:10 The Role of HR and Unions
45:43 Documenting Evidence Against Bullying
52:25 Finding Strength and Moving Forward

Resources
Union Support and Advice - https://www.unions.org
Workplace Bullying Guide by ACAS - https://https://www.acas.org.uk/bullying-at-work
Mental Health Resources - https://www.mind.org.uk

Keywords
Workplace bullying, mental health, self-esteem, HR, workplace harassment, coping strategies, professional boundaries, Bullying, Bullies

Disclaimer
The views, experiences, and opinions shared in this episode belong solely to the guest. They reflect their personal perspective and recollection of events. Nothing discussed should be taken as a statement of fact about any named or identifiable individual, organisation, or workplace. As host, I provide a space for open conversation but do not verify, investigate, or take responsibility for the accuracy of what is shared. This episode is intended for discussion and reflection only.

We are a peer-connection space focused on shared storytelling, not a medical service or crisis centre. If you are in immediate need, we recommend reaching out to professional emergency services.