Fat. Ugly as Hell. Weird. Freak. Stupid. Crazy. Whore.

These are all words my peers used to describe me as in elementary, middle school, and even high school. The calling me of these words led to major self-worth issues, depression, anxiety, and almost committing suicide at the ripe age of 12. I remember trying to call my 2 "best friends" on the phone in the 7th grade, looking for encouragement or whatever you want to call it, because I wanted to die. Neither of them picked up. I only had one respond to me at all that night, but that was after my mom had gotten my mind off of it; not knowing I was contemplating suicide. My 8th grade year, I came home from school everyday, crying, and wanting to die.

BUT, this post is NOT to make anyone feel sorry for me. I just wanted to talk about how bullies can hugely impact a child's life.

In 2011, a survey in the United States said that 28 percent of students in 6th through 12th grade had experienced being bullied.*

Think about that.

At least 2 out of every 10 children (in grades 6-12) have been bullied. That's not including children who were too afraid to speak up about it when asked.

Maybe because of their religion. Maybe because of their sexuality. Maybe because of their skin color.

But 28 percent of children in middle and high school being bullied, is NOT okay!

I am lucky enough to have found theatre to have as my outlet. Some kids aren't that lucky, They have to go through their every day lives, just bottling everything up, and not having a way to express themselves/not having anyone to talk about their lives to. If you are reading this, and feel this way, like you have no one to talk to: please message me. I know how it feels, and I want to help. (DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT IN ANY WAY SAYING I AM A PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST IN ANYWAY. JUST WANTING TO BE A HELPING HAND TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.)

In conclusion, I just want to tell all of you out there struggling with being bullied:

You are enough.

You are worth it.

You are loved.

*National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics, School Crime Supplement , 2011.