Looking After Lara Ask Lara

.

Flight 315C ready for departure.

So, who wants to see Banana Skins 3?

-Yes!

-That's three.

And who wants Pia's Journey?

-Yay! That custard scene's brilliant!

-Hang on, Lara hasn't voted.

Which do you want to see, a young girl's search for her missing mother

or a lot of blokes falling into vats of custard?

Custard, custard!

Er...yeah. Custard, I think.

But you HATE stupid films!

-It's not stupid!

-It's brilliant!

-Are you sure?

-Mm-hm.

-OK, then, can everyone do 6pm tomorrow?

-Yeah!

Er...yeah. I suppose so.

MOTHER: 'So you're still feeling homesick?'

Yeah. It's horrible.

It's like there's this cloud hanging over me and it just won't go away.

And now I've picked this stupid film

because the one I really wanted to see will make me cry.

'Everyone cries at soppy films.'

But what if the others think I'm a crybaby?

'Have you tried talking to them? Maybe some of them are homesick too.'

OK, I'll try.

-Night, Mum.

-'Night, love. Sweet dreams.'

Lola?

Oh, Lola, I'm sorry.

First question - if you were feeling sad, worried or lost, would you...

A, tell no-one, you'd be too embarrassed?

B, tell one or two close friends and ask for their support?

Or C, tell anyone who's interested? Why hide it?

So, write about a time when you felt sad,

using lots of descriptive words.

"Triste" - "sad".

"Anoranza" - "homesickness".

This is really hard.

Just make something up.

I mean I...miss my mum. I...

Doesn't she call you?

Every night!

But...I can't sleep, and...

Camomile tea. That'll do the trick.

But I just miss everyone.

You just have to be tough.

When you feel down, think of something else.

That works for me.

When I get sad, I think about cake.

Or lipstick. Or boys!

Or boys in lipstick eating cake!

If I get sad, it's awful,

when I'm playing a computer game and I get really, really close

and then pow, I'm dead.

I was sad when my dog died.

I was here, and there was nothing I could do.

-I'm getting a dog when I go...home.

-Yeah?

Are you OK? You look like you're crying.

I'm fine. A bit of a cold.

-Is she OK?

-I...er...think she's homesick.

No! She loves it here.

-She's got a cold, that's all.

-Lara?

There's a parcel for you in the school office. OK, todos,

that's the end of the lesson for today.

Aren't you going to open it?

It's just something my mum sent. I'll open it later.

-No, now!

-Show us!

Hm?

Ohhh! They're so cute! Can I see?

NO! They're mine!

-What's wrong with...

-Hm.

-The blues?

The parcel from home? She IS homesick!

-I told you!

-But what can we do to help?

LARA SNIFFLES

SHE SIGHS

Oh!

You can talk to me if you like.

-Who are you?

-I'm the school counsellor.

But aren't you for people who are really desperate?

Some are, some aren't. You can talk to a counsellor any time.

-But I don't know how!

-You could start by knocking on my door.

-But...

OK. You won't tell anyone, though, will you?

No. But you don't have to be embarrassed about it.

It's perfectly normal. You'll give it a try?

Er...OK.

Great. I'll see you soon, then. Bye!

Er, excuse me? You left your...

Oh!

Second question -

if you found out a friend was seeing a counsellor, would you...

A, think they were overreacting?

B, think, "Good for them -

"even if I don't understand how they're feeling,

"everyone is different, and they're getting the help they need"?

Or C, think, "Great, sorted - everything's back to normal"?

I could give her this.

To take her mind off things!

Do you think the funny film will help?

Maybe. More than one about a girl missing her mum, anyway.

Or maybe a film about missing your mum is just what she needs.

She needs to talk about it. Right?

Talk about it? Of course!

And who better to talk to than the school counsellor?

-Great! I'll go tell Lara.

-Remember, she's feeling sad.

Don't worry, I'll be tactful.

OK, Lara,

we know what's wrong with you. And we've worked out a plan.

You need to see...

..the school counsellor? Hmm...

-Nice(!)

-We need to get her to the counsellor's office.

-Or we could just see if she wants to talk to one of us.

-Hang on a minute!

Hmm...

Hello! Erm, nice weather we're having.

I mean...

-..there's a bit of sunshine.

-I've, er...got to go.

There's something in here about counsellors to the stars!

Everyone's seeing one these days, you know.

Sorry, I'm, er...not hungry.

What? What?!

'Oh, so what if they see me?

'Who cares?'

Hello. Can I help you?

No! I mean no, thanks. I was just...

checking your door is...clean.

Actually, can I have an appointment?

Of course. I have a space at 10am tomorrow.

-Tomorrow?

-Sorry, it's my first free slot. See you then?

Hold on, let me try.

When my dog died, I was really down. I cried a lot.

Why didn't you tell us?

I tried. But...everyone thinks I'm just a joker.

And everyone thinks I should either get my head fixed or go home.

But I like being here. It's just that I miss my mum, too.

Gosh! It's a relief to talk.

Yeah. When my dog died, I talked to the teacher.

She's nice. And just talking about it made me feel better.

You're right.

I just want to tell someone how I feel.

And how I feel is better already!

Come on, then, I need to change my vote on the film.

Ah, Lara, I thought you liked custard!

Third question - if you were sad,

do you think talking to someone would...

A, make no difference, talking doesn't change anything?

B, help make things better - a problem shared is a problem halved?

Or C, make your sadness disappear in the blink of an eye?

If you answered mostly As,

you might find talking to people you know uncomfortable.

Well, if you do, you could try ringing a helpline instead.

If you answered mostly Bs,

you talk to your friends already

and you'd see a counsellor if you needed to. Cool.

And if you answered mostly Cs,

you believe in talking, which is great, but remember to be patient.

Problems don't disappear overnight.

AKIRA SNIFFLES

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd