"Letter" for help from abusive stepmother: "Psychological scars will haunt me for life"

(Dan Tri) - According to psychological experts, in cases where the content of the "heartfelt letter" reflects the truth, the mental trauma can leave an imprint on the child for many years to come.

Letter of appeal for help due to abuse

A post containing several videos and pages of handwritten letters said to be a "cry for help" from a boy being abused by his stepmother has gone viral on social media.

In the "letter", the child wrote that his stepmother forced him to bang his head against the wall or safe, punch his temple, slap his face with a sandal, and hit him on the head with a phone or comb.

According to the letter, the child was not allowed to eat enough, only allowed half a bowl of rice per meal, sat at the table at night but was not allowed to study, had to stay up until 12am, was not allowed to turn on the air conditioner in the summer, and was not allowed to cover himself with a blanket in the winter...

Image of the child and stepmother is spreading online (Photo taken from video).

“Recently, my mother often hits me with the edge of a phone, a glass bottle, a spoon, a knife… Every time I do something against her will, or I make a mistake, at noon she calls me into her room, scolds me, and asks me a lot of questions…”, a part recorded in the “heartfelt letter” is said to be the boy’s cry for help.

On the evening of September 13, Hanoi City Police said they were urgently verifying and clarifying the incident.

Initially, the authorities identified the relevant location as being at Van Phu - Victoria Apartment (Kien Hung ward).

According to authorities, the case shows signs of child abuse. Hanoi police affirmed that they will investigate and strictly handle the case according to the law, while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of children.

Psychologist: "Mental trauma haunts children forever"

Speaking with Dan Tri reporter, MSc. Hoang Quoc Lan - clinical psychologist shared that if what is in the "letter" reflects the truth, the behaviors can cause serious damage to the child's mental health.

Notably, this “wound” can last for many years to come. “In the immediate future, it can cause very serious damage to the child’s mental health,” Dr. Lan analyzed.

According to Dr. Lan, when faced with such experiences, children will always be in a state of insecurity and constant fear, not knowing when they will be abused. This prolonged anxiety causes children to fall into a feeling of constant stress.

Master Hoang Quoc Lan said that mental trauma in children can be very serious and leave lasting scars for many years to come (Photo: NVCC).

Not only can a child feel anxious, but their self-esteem can be severely damaged. “When they are constantly hurt, they will doubt their own worth.

Children may think: "Why am I not cared for, but have to endure this?" Gradually, children lose direction, not knowing how to please the adults around them," Dr. Lan analyzed.

In addition, the risk of re-experiencing the trauma is very high. “There are children who only need to hear a sound or see an object that reminds them of the abusive experience to immediately fall into panic. This haunting feeling can follow them for a long time, even into adulthood,” said a clinical psychologist.

Dr. Lan also shared that children are easily withdrawn and lose connection with society. When they no longer feel safe, they will close themselves off, be afraid to communicate and not dare to open up.

"Later, this childhood "wound" will be a risk factor that increases the possibility of developing mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, personality disorders, and antisocial defiance disorders," Dr. Lan analyzed.

According to this expert, children are like blank sheets of paper but also have defense mechanisms.

When faced with abusive behavior, children have two self-defense tendencies: withdrawing or exploding. Without adult guidance and timely intervention, other pathologies may develop.

"In the future, this will make children afraid to share and not be true to themselves. As a result, children may suffer from anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, and behavioral disorders," said Master Lan.

At the same time, according to Dr. Lan, it is especially necessary for children to be examined and tested for psychological and mental health problems to promptly detect problems and have treatment directions.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/tam-thu-keu-cuu-me-ke-bao-hanh-vet-seo-tam-ly-se-am-anh-con-ca-doi-20250913165934027.htm