Hi,
Have you ever know someone you make fun for something, or maybe your friends urge you to make fun of them. Have you ever imagine if they are overall healthy physically, mentally and emotionally? Do you think they are doing great now?
Then let me share a story one of my friend that have experienced bullying. Many students in my school make fun of him because of his behavior and appearance. Many student describe him as weirdo nerd pertains for his eyeglass and his behavior for being active in class.
The first time he approach me is he couldn't see what is written in the board he lost his eyeglass. I help him out to write it down to his notebook. I see him smile to me and say thank you. A simple act of gesture make him happy and I know he is been motivated to still continue his study career despite his experience in bullying. Yeah we became friend but I don't usually hang out with him, I have to help my mother at house so I always go to my parents house after class.
Before the school end, he was involved in a fight. As far as I know he was defending his self from verbal and physical abuse after a bunch of student make fun of him and assaults' him for ignoring, The next day his behavior gradually changes, he usually look down and avoid eye contact, he just want to go back home early, when I ask him to play with me with basketball he just nod and say thank you then he will just look down, he never engage normal conversation unless you will pursue him that everything was fine. He just wanted to be alone.
I thought he will ignore me for the rest of his life because I was not there to defend him. But he still help me for some question's I didn't understand. He even help other student's, He is not active at recitation or any academic competition just to avoid exposure.
Fast forward it's been 7 years and I see the faces of people who bullied him having a great time and posting things such as being cool at their school years. While my friend is still fighting silently his battle alone, I still message him that he will be successful one day because I know how kind hearted he is and he never discriminate other student he treat them all fairly. I know he is not mentally , emotionally stable but I hope he will be fine one day !!
after 2 years of different therapy he is now able to be his self again and now he is advocating mental and emotional health awareness. He help many children that has experienced bullying, he help them to be okay. I am proud of you buddy !! You can't tell how long he will be able to recover but he did it.
Mental & Emotional health is important like physical health. Now at the pandemic use this time to reflect . Reflect and learn to change your habit's that can cause trauma or even long term mental, emotional and physical problems to other people. Change for the better not for the worse. Words can be harmful too and you never know how long it takes for them to recover.
Stay safe !!
Picture from anime : charlotte
