Bullying is a serious problem. Not only does the bully have very low self-esteem and other issues (often they are being bullied somewhere else in their life), the victim of the bullying also suffers awful side effects. These side effects can include extremely low self-esteem, thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, detrimental shifts in mind and personality, isolation, and many more. It is a highly serious matter and it can affect the rest of the victim's life. Immediate action needs to be taken when a case of bullying is discovered, and both the bully and the bullied need help overcoming the abuse.
As a teacher, I have seen some of the effects of bullying on children, and they are not pretty. Here is one boy's powerful story of how he was consistently bullied, but how his art - the very thing he was bullied for - led him on a journey that helped him have more strength to recover from the abuse. Watch Andrew Johnson's audition on Britain's Got Talent and clearly see how important it is that victims of bullying be supported and given the means to gain back their self-esteem. (This one always makes me cry!)
Also, if you or someone you know is being bullied, check out the website StopBullying.gov for advice on how to deal with it and get help. Remember, it will and can get better. Hang in there!
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