The end of bullying begins with each of us.
It’s this message that is significantly campaigned during October, which is also known as National Bullying Prevention Month. It’s a month that brings attention to a global issue that has impacted the lives of millions of people who continue to suffer in silence.
When some of us are suffering in silence, it’s hard to believe that bullying and the pain that it can bring will ever end. You may be one of these people who is being bullied and is suffering in silence. James Clementi, of the Tyler Clementi Foundation, knows firsthand the impact of suffering in silence. He lost his 18-year-old son, Tyler, to suicide back in 2010 after he was cyberbullied.
His death brought national attention to the issue of bullying, especially cyberbullying. In remembrance of Tyler, James and his parents decided to established the Tyler Clementi Foundation to promote “safe and inclusive spaces for LGBT and vulnerable youth and families.” Since establishing the foundation, they have also decided to take their anti-bullying initiatives a step further. For example, this summer, they launched a new campaign called, Day 1 to prevent bullying before it starts, and most recently, they helped launch the Tyler Clementi Institute for Internet Safety at New York Law School. The goal of the institute is to make lawyers available in every state to support those experiencing cyberbullying. The institute is the first of its kind, being the first pro bono clinic at a law school.
In a meaningful interview with RIZZARR, James shared some encouraging words for anyone who may be suffering from bullying in silence:
Meaningful Words From James Clementi Of The Tyler Clementi Foundation
The loss of his brother sent James on a path of activism and awareness for bullying, suicide prevention, and LGBT rights. (Photo courtesy of the Tyler Clementi Foundation)
“This month is one in which I feel really happy to know that even through all of the pain that I have felt and that so many other people have felt, there is still hope.
And there is still healing that is happening, too. I felt a lot of healing take place in my life when I didn’t think I could ever be happy again. I love that Bullying Prevention Month is not only focused on bullying, but also bullying prevention. I think it is the key, because we really want to start bullying before it happens. The important aspect of Bullying Prevention Month is for society to know that there is a lot of joy in life…that there lies a lot of beauty in life…and that some of us aren’t able to experience these because of cruelty and humiliation that happens from bullying.
Bullying can leave scars for a long time, including psychological and emotional scars. Unfortunately, for many victims of bullying, they have to suffer and struggle year-round. It is so important for us to take time out as a society to highlight this issue and to work together to create a solution to help victims of bullying who are suffering in silence.
When you suffer in silence, you may feel like there is no one there to give you support or to help the problem to stop. There is a lot of shame in bullying, especially if there is around your sexual orientation, identity, or other ways that you self-express yourself. People can feel like something is wrong with them and they won’t be supported.
Personally, I can understand those feelings. I felt those feelings at some point in my life and I know many people who have. Being of the perspective of someone who felt that way at one point and got through it, I never took actions [of suicide or self-harm]. If you are thinking about harming yourself, know that it would be such a tragedy and such a horrible loss for the world and all of the people in your life to never have the chance to share their lives with you and to watch you grow up. I know that those feelings are so intense and so overwhelming, but life is more than just the worst moments. If things are that bad where you are thinking of hurting yourself or taking your life, then you are focusing your energy in a way that is only going to create more destruction. Focus on the people who love you and want to help you. Have faith that things will get better and that your situation will change.
At the Tyler Clementi Foundation, we want you and other victims of bullying to experience the beautiful parts of life and to realize that we all can contribute something beautiful to this world. You are valuable. If someone is bullying you, making your life hard, or making fun of who you are, then you should not have to suffer in silence, be ashamed, or hide whom you are.
I think it is a time for people to challenge themselves more to not just accept the status quo that exists in their schools and in their environments. We want people to realize that they can have a voice, they can be powerful, and they can create change. Our focus is to give support to victims of bullying, to reach people who are bystanders of bullying, and to help others to understand how to be upstanding in bullying situations. Doing that creates safe spaces in schools across America for all students.
For those who need support or are looking to get involved in the foundation, we definitely invite you to come to our website for more information. Always know you never have to suffer in silence.”
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