A letter to myself when I was being bullied

Topics mentioned: bullying, self-esteem, reaching out for help

About: Bullying can affect us and our mental health in lots of different ways. Read Saskia's letter to her younger self when she was being bullied.

I think it’s important to remember that many people have experienced bullying at some point in their lives. No one should ever feel alone when dealing with this troubling experience. No matter the circumstances of each individual experience of bullying, people who have endured bullying may agree that there are things they would do differently.

Or perhaps they might wish they could go back in time and say something reassuring to themselves. I certainly wish that I could go back and do things differently, or say something reassuring to myself.

Dear Saskia,

You are being so brave.

You are such a strong individual, even if you don’t feel like you are. You might have pretended to be ill to avoid going into school at first, but that all changed once you realised you shouldn’t have to hide. Even though your school peers make you feel bad about yourself, and dread runs through your veins every time you walk through the gates, you still get up every morning and go to school.

Despite this and all the other troubling experiences you’re going through in your home life, like the divorce of your parents and the issues surrounding it, you’re still tackling life. You’re amazing and you will grow up to be an even stronger and more confident person.

People who bully often have their own issues they’re dealing with. This doesn’t excuse their behaviour. Bullying of any form is unacceptable. However, this is something to just keep in mind because more often than not, their actions are more about them than you.

They’re just trying to find a way of dealing with their own insecurities and emotions. Or maybe they’re just genuinely mean individuals. Either way, you’ll grow up and never see these people again, and teachers will become stricter on bullying for the next generation of children and beyond.

Even if your teachers did not help you enough when you were bullied, they will get tougher on bullying.

However, you as an individual should not be afraid to go to someone higher up in school if your teachers are not dealing with bullying in the way they should. Ask your mum to go to the head teacher or the school governors.

It’s okay to ask for more help if you’re not getting it from the teachers that should be helping you.

You’re not weak for asking for more help and you are definitely not wasting anyone’s time - you are allowed to feel the way you do. You are being bullied and those bullying you need to be told what they’re doing is wrong. You’ll feel so much better afterwards and your mum will help you through it if you need some courage.

Keep on being brave and remember that, as you grow older, the people bullying you will grow tired of their horrible name-calling. But in the meantime, do not let them get away with being horrible. Ask for support – you deserve it.

Lots of love,

Saskia