Getting through bullying: Stories from young people
Being bullied can make you feel alone, ashamed and powerless. If you’re going through it, it can be hard to see a way forward. But these stories from young people show that things can, and will, get better.
Kate’s story: Finding support when you feel alone
It's hard when you're in it. It's really, really, really difficult when you're in it, but once you get through that tunnel of feeling hopeless and worthless, it does get better.
Kate was bullied from kindergarten to Year 11 and often felt hopeless and worthless. She found that connecting with trusted adults at school and at home was the key to getting through it.
What helped Kate was:
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finding a supportive teacher and school counsellor to talk to
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opening up to her mum, who had a similar experience
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remembering that high school is only a small part of your life.
James's story: Realising bullying wasn't who he was
In hindsight I wish I would have said more and opened up when I got the chance, it’s just that fear of not having it taken seriously and being dismissed.
James’ bullying experiences in high school led to some pretty severe anxiety. He shares how focusing on himself and seeking support are the key things that got him through.
James got through by:
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reaching out to his school counsellor for support and guidance
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focusing on what he did have and thinking about who he was, rather than what other people thought of him
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realising that bullying isn’t a normal part of life and that he didn’t have to accept it.
Carissa's story: How professional help made a difference
With all the treatment and support, I've become a better person than I thought I could ever be.
Carissa’s experience with bullying started when she was just four years old. After years of hearing negative comments, she started to believe them. With her parents’ encouragement, she sought professional help to work through the pain.
Carissa’s journey involved:
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getting support from her parents to find professional help
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talking to a counsellor to express the pain she’d held on to
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realising that with the right support, she could heal and grow.
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What can I do now?
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Follow these five steps to talking to someone you trust about what's going on.
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Book a chat with an experienced peer worker using ReachOut PeerChat .
