We were bullied too – look

“I was often beaten at home by my father, an alcoholic. In order not to have to show the bruises on my upper body, I wore long sweaters even in summer. That was reason enough for my tormentors to bully me. They came every day, until one day an authority placed me in a foster family. But the damage was done, my self-esteem tended towards zero. In my ten school years I was in around nine different schools in different cantons, for example in five foster families, a youth flat share and a school home. I was bullied almost everywhere. At the age of 18 I no longer had any real will to live and spent my time playing computer games and being fed by the social welfare office. I had severe depression, no social contacts, no money and no future. If someone had put a pistol in my hand at the time, I would have probably killed my classmates. I get a 100 percent IV, and even if I feel better and the very dark thoughts are gone, I will probably never be able to lead a normal life. ” Martin B. *