Ten years ago in seventh grade, I was BULLIED. Every. single. day. I was the official 'outcast' of my grade, and was verbally, physically, and socially abused by almost(97%) every person in my grade; including some students in the grades above and below me. Classrooms and lunch and recess and sports teams and before/after school were all fair game to humiliate and/or alienate me. I got "prank" phone calls at home-nowhere was safe.  I internalized their hatred, was diagnosed with depression, and planned every detail of how and when I would end my own life. 
MUSIC saved me. Band was the one class I had friends in. It was the class I asked for help in. And someone in that ensemble reported concern about me-or else I wouldn't be here today. Music education saved my life. Band provided the one safe space, and a major source of coping, that got me through that year.
I was bullied. I was lied about. I was suicidal. IT GETS BETTER #stompoutbullying