Bullying prevention resources for K-12 youth, families, and educators

I was a victim of bullying in middle and high school. Im much older now but it still hurts, you never forget it. Bullying is not just someone physically hurting you- its a lot more. Its emotional damage that tears apart your self-esteem and that can take years, even a lifetime, to rebuild. It makes you feel worthless and different and isolated and helpless. Some people react to it by going out and killing others, others internalize it and end up with trauma, anxiety, depression, anorexia, OCD, or any other type of "control" disorders. I was only bullied because I wasnt very social, liked to read, not good at sports, didnt dress well, and inattentive or just not great socially with the people my age. I didnt even look different or have any noticeable physical deformities. I cant even imagine how much worse it would have been if that was the case, too. Some of the bullies grew up to be actually decent people, but they have no idea how much harm they caused me. Neither did any of the teachers or adults (or other kids) around who witnessed some but not all of the physical and emotional abuse. We need to call out bullies for who they are, and identify them personally, and make sure that people know that the problem lies with the bullies, not with the victims. 

David, 30 New York