Bullying has always been around in different shapes and forms but now that everyone is contactable within seconds via their mobile phone, social media such as Facebook or Twitter or within chatrooms there is a justifiable sense that there can be no escape from it day or night.

While a few short years ago there was a certain amount of respite from bullying once you left the school yard or bus, now it has the capacity to follow you wherever you go, which no doubt has played a big part in the resulting stress being just too difficult to bear for some people leading to self harm and suicide in many documented cases.

When you are gay or even just taunted about being gay even if you’re not possibly because of the way you choose to dress or style your hair or music you like, the feeling of helplessness can be totally overpowering and in some case the victim feels that it would only make things worse by reporting it or talking to someone. This can result in distancing themselves from their family and friends, the very people they need the most!

If you are being bullied never ever keep it to yourself. Share it with a friend or family member or if you feel you can’t talk to anyone come and talk to us in the NRC Centre or Phone us on 028 3025 0528 between 7pm and 10pm Monday to Friday or the Samaritans in Newry are always there at 028 302 66366. Needless to say any conversations will be dealt with in strict confidence.

Sadly being gay and being bullied adds many complications for a young person trying to deal with their trauma. If their family or friends don’t know they are gay how are they going to tell them they are being bullied for being gay! Ultimately if you are a parent or a friend and you sense something is not quite right with your child or mate it would help tremendously if you could broach the subject in a sensitive way. At the very extreme end it could save a life.