Destruction Through Inaction

Mental health can be impacted in many ways, some more avoidable than others . . .

Bullying and harassment in all its forms can significantly impact a person's mental well-being, often with devastating effects on the person targeted, and the wider ripples that impact family and friends close to them.

As well as the mental impact a person's sense of self worth and confidence can be destroyed.

Those that CHOOSE to bully may use a variety of methods to target others:

• Physical
• Verbal
• Cyber
• Non-verbal
• Gas lighting
• Turning others against somebody
• Gossiping
• Mobbing
• Abuse of power
• Social isolation

The mental health of a person subjected to bullying is often further impacted by the INACTION of those that are able to STOP it.

This may be by:

• The person targeted not being believed
• Not being taken seriously
• Claims being downplayed
• Reports not being dealt with in a timely manner
• Claims not being investigated
• Perpetrators being protected
• Victim blaming
• Standing by and doing NOTHING

There is NEVER a justification to bully another person.

We should be building one another UP, not tearing others DOWN - no matter what justification the bully has convinced themselves that they have. It may very well be that those that target others are themselves struggling with their mental health - it does not make it right!

And let's not kid ourselves that bullying only happens in the playground - if you open your eyes, sadly you will see it is everywhere.

Whilst we normalize openness surrounding mental health, lets ensure we are prepared to look after the mental wellness of EVERYBODY.

What makes this MY STORY, I've been caught in the ripples . . .

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, please spend some more thinking about it.