Refusing to let the bullies win

A young Galwegian has lifted the lid on his years of childhood trauma, as bullying forced him to quit secondary school altogether just three weeks after starting – taking him to the brink of suicide when he was just 14.

Chris Sherlock is now building a career for himself as a broadcaster, hosting his Guaranteed Irish show on Flirt FM 101.3, the licensed student radio station at NUIG, every Wednesday.

But to get there, he had to overcome repeated bullying during his First Year at second level; that forced him to leave the school and work towards his Junior Cert with a tutor – until Government cutbacks removed that facility, and left him without the chance to sit the state exam.

He has now contributed his story to a new Galway-published book, Mental Health for Millennials, which is designed to put the spotlight on mental health – particularly among millennials.

The Galway city native doesn’t want to identify the school he attended, but he chronicles in harrowing detail the attacks on him as a new First Year that derailed his first stab at education – within three weeks of starting.

The then-thirteen year old spoke with teen psychologists and therapist – but his sense of despair only seemed to get worse as time rolled on.

“The therapist told me to go for a walk when my anxiety overwhelmed me, and one day, I found myself right to the edge of the Galway Canal,” he says.

“As I stared into its cold waters, I barely recognized my reflection. I felt empty, hopeless and helpless with added feelings of disappointing and embarrassing my parents So much so, suicide seemed a good idea.

“Luckily, two friends saw me and came over. Everyone knew what had happened at that point.

“Instead of asking why I was so dangerously close to the edge of the canal, they asked if I wanted to walk back with them and play videogames. A simple kindness, really, but enough to make me feel connected and accepted.”

He credits the Youth Advocacy Service in the Galway City Partnership with helping him to find his career path at a relaxed pace.

“I think it is essential for people also to know that taking medication to help with anxiety and depression was a tool I used during my teen years as well.

“There is a stigma around taking medication, but I’d rather see people heal than contemplate suicide. Never let medication rule you. Take charge, if necessary. Today, I have learned to trust people again. It has taken time and effort, but the life I now enjoy has been worth it.”

Chris Sherlock tells his story in Mental Health for Millennials, the fourth of seven volumes, edited by Dr. Niall MacGiolla Bhuí and Dr. Phil Noone, dealing with topic such as death, grief, suicide, sexuality, depression and more. It is published by Book Hub Publishing based in Athenry, and is available from Charlie Byrne’s Book Shop in Galway or via www.bookhubpublishing.com

Chris Sherlock On The Wireless goes out on Wednesdays at 4pm, Flirt FM 101.3. Interviews from the show are on the Chris Sherlock On The Wireless Podcast which is available on Spotify, Mixcloud and Apple Podcasts.

The full version of this article appeared in the Connacht Tribune edition of March 26 2021.