Ask Sam letter

Asker

To Sam

School and me

First day back at school was horrible people laughed at me threw the hallways and called me fat. ive cut myself before but i hated it this time

Ask Sam

Sam

Hi there,

Being called names is wrong and shouldn’t be happening. Name calling and being laughed at are types of bullying that can make you feel upset and worried. It’s always okay to talk to someone about what’s happening.

There are a couple of things to think about when being bullied – how you might stop the bullying and how you are looking after your feelings. Both are important and can make a big difference to how you feel about school.

When taking care of your feelings, it’s important to set aside time for yourself each day. Some people keep a diary, others just have some time to think at the end of the day. Whenever you find yourself worrying about the bullying, you can promise yourself you will think about it in the time you set aside later on.

It can help to talk about how you're feeling when you are experiencing bullying and a teacher is person who might be able to help. Teachers have a duty to support you to feel safe while you are at school. Choose a teacher that you feel comfortable with and ask to talk to them on your own. Your school should have an anti-bullying policy which will tell you what you can expect to happen when you report bullying.

There are times at school when you might feel more unsafe - like when there are fewer teachers around or where it is difficult for you to get away. Leaving lessons a few minutes early or having teachers look out for you might help you feel safer.

When someone is bullying you it can make you feel less confident so try things to build your self-esteem. Remember that being bullied is never your fault and you deserve to be treated with respect. We've got tips to help you to bounce back from bullying.

People often feel anxious or sad when others are unkind or hurtful. It’s important to find safe and healthy ways to cope that can help you to feel calmer and more in control. And may also reduce any urges to self-harm.

I hope these ideas help but Childline counsellors can support you more if you need it.

Take care,

Sam

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