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13th Sep 2019

People are sharing their experiences of bullying in the wake of Jesy Nelson’s documentary

'I remember every comment said to me.'

Anna O'Rourke

“It became the worst time of my life. It literally consumed every part of me.”

At 20, Jesy Nelson reached the height of  as part of X Factor winning band Little Mix. It was also then that she hit her lowest point.

But it wasn’t the pressure of her role, the fast-paced pop star lifestyle or murky industry bosses who contributed to a depression that would eventually lead her to attempt suicide – it was strangers online.

In her BBC documentary Odd One Out, Jesy frankly details how bullying on the internet, mainly about her appearance, broke her self esteem and changed who she was as a person.

“The whole world had an opinion on me, and they weren’t good ones,” she said. “From the minute them comments started, it became the worst time of my life. It literally consumed every part of me.”

The documentary showed how the bullying has affected Jesy personally and professionally – she would fail to turn up for work and even now is deeply self conscious – but also highlighted the story of a family whose daughter killed herself over cyber trolling.

It was an upsetting watch and a reminder that fame, success and even having a supportive circle of family and friends around can’t always protect against emotional turmoil.

Many who watched shared their own experiences of being bullied and the lasting effect it can have.

Many others called for schools to show the documentary to young people to educate them about the effects of bullying.

Definitely one to catch up on this weekend.

 

Samaritans 

(01) 671 0071

[email protected]

 

Pieta House (Suicide & Self-harm)

1800 247 247

www.pieta.ie

 

Childline

1800 66 66 66

www.childline.ie