Bullying And Teen Violence / Question
Published: May 29, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am being bullied by a boy who I thought was my friend. He calls me names, he makes fun of me and now he has two of my other friends joining him and poking fun at me. I've already spoken to my parents but they refuse to do anything about it because they say that I will meet worse people in life and that I have to start handling bullies myself. But its so difficult to ignore him and it gets worse everyday to the point where I tried to kill myself last night. I am still thinking of suicide because I don't want to deal with this anymore even my parents refuse to support me. Please help!! My life cant get any worse. I'm afraid that I may kill myself!!!
Signed: Bullied - My Life Can't Get Any Worse
Dear Bullied - My Life Can't Get Any Worse,
There will be many times in all of our lives that we will come across difficult people and it can be very helpful to learn the skills of how to deal with these people in the best way possible. However, we all need some guidance and support in learning how to deal with difficult people. Nobody should be expected to just jump right into a bad situation and know exactly what to do. And this situation is far too serious for you to go with a "live and learn" approach in trying to figure it out for yourself. That said, TeenHealthFX thinks that it is VERY important for you to speak to your parents right away. Let them know the extent to which this situation is affecting you - that you are at the point of having suicidal thoughts. It is important for your parents to be clear about the seriousness of this situation so that they can intervene on your behalf. And if your parents are still reluctant to get involved even after making clear to them how desperate you are feeling, then tell another trusted adult who can help you - a school counselor, teacher, neighbor, extended family member or anyone else who can be there for you. You should NOT be going through this alone, so it is very important that you reach out for help from the people around you.
To learn more about the affects of teen bullying and how to deal with it, then read about the bullying information on KidsHealth.
If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.
If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern New Jersey you can also call the crisis hotline from Morristown Memorial hospital at 973-540-0100. Outside this area call the Suicide & Crisis Hotline, 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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