A MOTHER is desperate for more support for her teenage daughter who has resorted to self-harming after enduring four years of bullying.

The mother-of-three, from the Southend borough, says schools are not doing enough to tackle bullying, and that not enough help and support is made available.

Her 15-year-old daughter spends most nights crying herself to sleep, leaving her exhausted for school the next day.

Heartbreakingly, she often prays to not wake up, and her mother is scared for her future.

Her devoted mum claims the school will not address it and the police have not helped.

And when she got so desperate she kept her daughter off school she was fined and found herself in trouble for trying to save her daughter from harm.

The distraught mother said: “My daughter started self-harming a couple of years ago and suffers with PTSD, anxiety and depression as a result of the bullying.

“She isn’t sleeping or eating properly and cries at night because of how frightened she is to go to school.

“As a mother it’s so heartbreaking.

“She has been bullied for four years by the same group of girls.

“I have spoken to the school on many occasions and they say they will sort it, which they try to do but it’s clearly not enough as the girls continue.

“I stopped her from going to school because of the bullying but kept getting fined and threatened with court letters.”

The 15-year-old girl has had objects thrown at her from behind, verbal abuse and has been physically attacked.

The devastated mother added: “Just before Christmas, one of the bullies pushed a member of their group into my daughter, which caused her to have problems with her back.

“It has affected us dramatically to the point where I now suffer with anxiety and depression also.

“My two boys hate seeing their sister so low and crying all the time.

“Being her mum I feel like I have failed her.

“I feel I haven’t done enough to protect my daughter to make her feel safe, to the point of harming herself.

“Bullies shouldn’t be tolerated in any school.

“But in certain situations it’s too late for children as vulnerable as my daughter wanting to take their own lives.”

Papyrus is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.

According to the charity, suicide is the biggest killer of young people – male and female – under 35 in the UK.

Over 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide every year in this country.

The charity provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through its helpline, HopelineUK.

A 2017 survey, commissioned by Papyrus, found that 11 per cent of teachers (one in ten) said, on average, a student shares suicidal thoughts with them once a term or more.

The survey also identified a real need for support and training in the education sector.

A spokesman for Papyrus, said: “We don’t talk about suicide in schoolchildren – and the number of children in this level of emotional distress.

“Statistics in England and Wales were only released for the 10-14 age group for the first time in 2015.

“Suicides by children under tem are not included in official statistics.

“If you are a young person struggling with thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned that a young person you know may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, the Papyrus HopelineUK is there to help.

“Call 0800 0684141, text 07860 039 967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org”

The school and Essex Police were contacted for comments, but declined to respond.

The Echo has not named those involved to help protect the identity of the child while still highlighting the torment being endured.

Work is also being done to reduce online bullying but, according to experts, more needs to be done to help families and to keep children safe from harm.