Firstly, I would speak with Maya privately, creating a calm and safe supportive space where she feels comfortable expressing and sharing what she is experiencing. I would reassure her and ask what support she needs and how I could give it to her, avoiding the assumption that Maya is lazy, unmotivated, or simply not trying hard enough, because her behaviour may be a response to stress and feeling overwhelmed. With her parents/ guardians permission, I would engage her via WhatsApp and continuously check in on her, offering my support and letting her know that she can reach out to me when she feels overwhelmed or just needs to talk to someone about how she feels. By taking this approach and listening without judgment, this could help Maya feel understood and allow for identification of the specific support and coping strategies she needs.
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