Victims of bullying

Two years ago, an 11-year-old boy tragically ended his life due to the unbearable bullying he was enduring.

I recall everyone being naturally shocked. As we talked about this, my mind couldn't help but wander to the children and adults currently experiencing bullying without any support. While everyone sympathized with the boy, it seemed that those who were not acquainted with him soon moved on from the incident.

Today, I am addressing this topic because I experienced bullying consistently from the beginning of elementary school until I relocated to attend high school. I eagerly anticipated leaving, as I had been longing for it for quite some time. Similar to that young boy, I thought about suicide, but I never seriously considered it. Despite the awareness of the bullying, I don't believe people fully grasped the extent of my suffering.

Forgiving took a considerable amount of time and effort, not just towards the young perpetrators but also towards those in my surroundings who should have supported me. It's difficult to comprehend any justification for their lack of action. They were aware of the issue; I confided in my family and friends, and even my mother discussed it with the principal. So, why was there no intervention? Why was I left to fend for myself?

When considering this matter, I must emphasize that assisting children and adults facing bullying should not be overly complex. The issue must be addressed directly. However, perhaps the complexity lies precisely in this. It may be too intricate or too troublesome, and it entails delving into emotional discussions.

It requires acknowledging that everything is not okay if we only choose to remain silent. It involves acknowledging the existence of a problem. In smaller communities, this could mean confronting friends about their child's bullying behaviour towards another child. Who would willingly engage in such a conversation? Some individuals may even admit to feeling unsure about how to manage such a situation.

Frankly speaking, that is unacceptable. If you hold a position as a principal or supervisor and a colleague under your authority is feeling unwell, it is your responsibility. Seek assistance from experts if you are unsure of what to do. Just as you would assist an unwell child, listen to their concerns and advise them against simply toughening up. If you are unable to fulfil this role, you may want to contemplate pursuing a different career path.