Stars reach out to bullied teen who shares fears in video

There is a new video dominating social media. It is called, 'What's Going On,' and it tells the story of one teenage boy battling bullying and his own depression.

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Bullied teen Jonah Mowry shares, fear, suicide attempts, pain and perseverance in moving video.

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We all need to fight for our children and all people who experience this demeaning act of aggression.

River

Stars reach out to bullied teen who shares fears in video

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Stars reach out to bullied teen who shares fears in video

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Mon. Dec. 5 2011 5:35 PM ET

An eighth-grade boy's compelling flash-card video message about being bullied, self-mutilating and contemplating suicide has gone viral and prompted messages of support from celebrities including Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.

Jonah Mowry posted the video in August, one month before the return to school, and the start of Grade 8, which he said he was dreading.

"I look happy, right?" says one of the hand-written cards Mowry holds up in the video titled simply "Whats goin on..."

"Well, I'M NOT. What all you see is the fake me."

With Sia's "Breathe Me" as the soundtrack for the video, Mowry goes on to hold up cards that say he has been bullied since the first grade, and has cut himself and contemplated suicide "many times."

Weeping, swallowing hard and wiping away tears, the blond boy wearing a brown t-shirt and headphones goes on to hold up cards explaining that all but one of his close friends have moved on to high school and he's terrified to start Grade 8.

"Im scared to go back. A lot of people hate me. I don't know why... But I gues I do. Cuz I kinda hate me too," states a series of cards.

At one point Mowry pauses, takes a breath, then holds up a card with some of the names he has apparently been called by bullies.

"Gay. Fag. Dick. Douche. Homo. Asshole."

However the message ends on a hopeful note.

"But Im not going anywere," states one of the final cards. "Because Im STRONGER than that and...I have a million reasons to be here."

Though he doesn't specify his sexuality in the video, Mowry said in a follow up message on Twitter that he is gay.

The video had over 2.2 million views as of Monday and had prompted a massive outpouring of support.

Ricky Martin posted the following message on Twitter: "Sending @JonahMowryReal one big rib breaking hug :0) ! Stay strong buddy! You are 1 courageous young man!!! Remember #LoveConquersHate

Lady Gaga also chimed in: "Thank you Jonah for being brave enough to share your story + showing us strength. You matter to millions. #TellYourStory #EndBullying"

Nick Jonas, Paula Abdul, Amanda Bynes and Rosie O'Donnell all sent similar messages of support for the young man.

The video was uploaded with the message "IM NOT GOING TO KILL MYSELF. I JUST NEED TO GET THIS OUT HERE."

In an apparent follow-up video that was later removed, Mowry, chewing gum, explains that the video was made four months ago.

He shows scars on his arms left from cutting and says "to the people who think obody likes me, almost my entire school loves me. I don't want to sound stupid or conceited or anything but yeah."

Following is the original YouTube posting:

Comments are now closed for this story

Len
said

We can blame the bully all we want but the problem is the parents. The bully is a bully but when confronted by authority runs to mommy and daddy who refuse to accept the fact that their kid is a bully. As a ret. teacher have seen it all to often. If the parents would wisen up and if they would be more accepting of the fact that their darling is not an angel and accept the responsibility to put the onus of discipline on themselves then the problem will certainly be lessened to a great degree.

shawbrooke
said

The truth is that bullies bully and they don't care whether the person that they bully is gay or not. I'm appalled at these celebrities who are letting the education system off the hook when they refuse to admit that many kids are bullied, and only some of those bullied are gay. It's the systems' responsibility to manage better and the system should not be allowed to consider useless action.

Frank Buchan
said

Don't know if he's gay, straight, or secretly purple; and I don't need to watch his video to understand the problem, because, sadly, he is not alone in being bullied to a state of emotional distraction. The fact is bullying is a social problem in every age group, and every strata of society. And it's that way because we allow it to be effective for those doing it. If it wasn't, we wouldn't see the nonsense we see in movies, TV, our governments, businesses, etc.I commend his standing up and exposing the torment.Now, instead of moaning about it, and trying to make it a gay issue, or something else to pretend the impact is somehow narrow, let's do something about it.

Ben
said

@ Ted, that is often my first impulse when hearing and seeing things like this. Often, parents of the bullied find themselves not knowing what can be done. What bothers me is how many parents have seen this video that don't know, or believe that their child is causing this sort of torment to another.Bullying is wrong, sinful and evil.

gradstudent13
said

Thank you CTV for sharing this video with us. And especially, thank you Jonah for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with us all. You are so brave and strong- many people wouldn't be brave enough to do what you did. I sincerely hope this starts discussions on issues pertaining to young people- bullying, dealing with sexuality, mental health and depression, etc. And to all who are feeling the way Jonah feels- I promise you, as a 25-year-old who felt many of the same feelings you are experiencing now, I PROMISE it gets better. So please hang in there and get help. Sending good thoughts out your way :)

Cambob in Toronto
said

I wish this boy no harm from bullies or self inflicted, but I'm hesitant to jump on the bandwagon. He's obviously got brains and a bit of creativity, but if he can't cope with the challenge of school, his adult life is going to be awful. Going into grade 8, he's probably going through puberty too, which is a learning challenge for all youth. Everyone wants to blame everyone else; teachers, parents, other students.. but the fact is, this kid has to learn how to survive on his own. It does get better, but it's never easy.

Hailey
said

Sweet heart, just wait until you get through school... life is much different. My heart broke as I watched your video. I hope you realize how special and wonderful you are, those stupid kids are just jealous of you. I wish I could give you a hug and tell you how amazing and brave you are. Just get through school, it is the hardest thing to do but once its over you will be able to breath again.

No names please...
said

Where are the parents? What if his parents are anything like mine were - the emotional and verbal abuse my siblings and I suffered at the hands of my mother and her husband were far worse than anything the bullies at school said. And the kids at school were good at picking up on the cues that you were picked on at home and playing on it. Unfortunately, back when I was a child and teen, no one believed you when you talked about what happened to you at home, because parents wouldn't do anything like that - would they?

Mike Webster, Mississauga ON
said

Someone posted a link to this video on Facebook the other day and I watched it. I can�t fathom what this poor boy is going through. He is obviously a good looking and intelligent young man who should be having the time of his life but instead, he is being beaten down by tormentors at school. This kind of bullying has to stop. It is often the cause of suicides and it is usually the underlying cause behind school shooting rampages. I am in no way excusing what troubled kids such as the Columnbine shooters did, however, I do recognize that it was constant bullying that ultimately led them and others to strike out violently. This boy has a certain unmistakable strength about him and I hope this publicity results in some relief from his pain. If I could, I�d give this boy a much needed hug and I�d assure him that things will get better. It is always darkest before the dawn and when that dawn comes, he will come out on top. He will surely go further in life than his worthless tormentors and bullies. He is surely a better person than they are.

Jaimee
said

I just hope in times when he and other kids who feel this way know that there are people who can and will help. People who will be non-judgmental and caring. To the poster that said it's not not just gay kids who get bullied..You are right, bullying can happen to anyone, however, gay and lesbian kids are a greater risk. I'm straight and It happened to me back in the early nineties, when I was in high school. I was bullied relentlessly and nobody would help me. Not my family, not my teachers, not my supposed friends, NO ONE. I even feared for my safety because I was threatened with violence. I was told by my abuser that if I showed my face in school again I would be stabbed to death. No one took this kid seriously and she ended up stabbing and killing her own sister. I spent many years in therapy because of it. It affects every part of your life and your very soul. People are bullies out of fear and ignorance. They fear what they do not know or understand. Or they just have serious mental health issues like the girl who tormented me. What we need is education and tolerance about our differences. Please everyone, it's easy, be kind to others.....

Marc
said

I'm 43 years old, and I used to be that kid. If you are reading this, know that high school is just a bump in the road. Those ignorant people that say they hate you, they envy you, your strength to be different, to express yourself so wonderfully. They don't matter, they will go on being ignorant and you will grow. I sometimes think of how difficult it was, not wanting to get up and go to school, being afraid that when the class ends, I will be beat up. I used to think that the worst case scenario would be being beaten up for 1 hour because by that time, SOMEONE would hopefully notice I was gone. Boy that was hard, I was more than what they called me and today, I have a wonderful family, great friends thta matter and a good life. They really don't matter so don't give them too much thought. The best revenge is living well.

Katt
said

This young man has so many obsticles to go through in life, kids grow up to be adults and the cycle continues with bulling we need to send a strong meassage to the grades 1 to 2, they are the ones that see and hear what is said at home kids don't become bullies at a later age. Due to our work we were transfered almost every five years and my daughter and son would be bullied most times by just 1or 2 that could cause the rest of the kids that knew that this was wrong would not stop the bullier, but sit on the sidelines and either laugh or chime in, and I can honestly tell you when my children would be coming home crying and upset and say they just wanted to DIE! this alarmed me. I knew that I needed to deal with it, I found the apple didn't fall far from the tree, when meeting the bullie's parent. Stand up for your self you don't have to be gay to be bullied my heart goes out to the little girl in Quebec who committed suicide, that struck a cord with me as my daughter was so close to doing the same. I am so sorry this little girl felt she had no other option and shame on the bully! you will live with this and I hope this makes you change your ways. I honestly think people who bully have low self esteem.that is why you pick on others, I think our schools should have instead of show and brag time, we should have a time to teach kindness.

PA
said

Why is every parents response to this video "where are his parents?" Clearly, parenting is not the problem. BULLYING is the problem. Millions of kids are bullied at school every day but people are ignorant and turn a blind eye. Millions of people watch videos like this everyday, yet the bullying never stops. How many young kids are going to have to take their lives before someone steps in and realizes that it is going to take more than words of encouragement under the comment box on a youtube video to change things. Jonah Mowry is unbelievably brave to stand up and make a video such as this. Suicide is NEVER the answer and it DOES get better. People should stop shouting out things like "private school" and "councelling" to the victims and start looking towards the people who are doing the bullying. Being bullied does not mean you are flawed, it takes a flawed person to hurt someone else. Jonah. You are such an inspriation and you should be so proud of the strength that you have inside. The world needs people like you.

james
said

oh my God !Please stay strong and don't give up...I know it is not easy but Hang ON !!Please...

Mary
said

Stay strong Jonah. You are the voice and representation for so many young people who are living with issues similar to yours who AREN'T strong enough to reach out as you have. Your video will help countless numbers of young people who are living troubled lives. With all the publicity and increased awareness surrounding the bullying issue - change will come. Just look at how must attention your video has gotten in such a short time. Bravo for you. And I care about you - people do care about you - strangers who you will never know care about you. Please take strength from that. Hang in there young man and take good care!

Earthwatcher
said

Jonah, you are a far better person than any of those cowards that call you names and bully you. You brought me to tears with your strength and courage, keep on keeping on young man. I admire you greatly and despise the pieces of human excrement that make your life and the lives of other kids miserable.LOVE IS LOUDER!!!

Guy
said

People are not just bullied because they are gay. All who stereotype these people are the ignorant ones. There are no good reasons or actual reason why some one bullies besides the fact that they can because they are stronger.

Ted
said

where are his parents. He needs help and they should be there for him. If he were my son, I would do whatever it takes to see him happy and safe. Even if takes moving somewhere else. No kid should hav eto go through this shit. The bullies should be rounded up and sent away to a reform scholl type institution and made to work hard to get rid of their over active minds.

JoanneJ
said

This young man is stronger than he thinks, to be able to make a video and open himself to the world is a sign of strength. Now let's get him the help he needs to grow into a healthy adult. Why isn't he being sent to another school or why isn't the school doing more to stop this kind of bullying. Where are the parents of those who do the bullying , These young people need to learn a few life lessons on what is or is not acceptable behaviour. I know Ontario government has started a campaign for awareness of bullying and it is trying to stop it in the schools. We need parents and teachers to support this initiative to help make life better for these chilldren who are being harrassed and hurt mentally and physically It is shameful that in this day and age our society allows something like this to continue.

Josie
said

The matter of him being gay or not, this still happens today, my kids deal with bullying everyday, and we cannot do anything about it. It's hard to see your kids go through it, everyone sees it, knows it happens, and talks about it, see it on Facebook, YouTube, but still nothing can done. The only way I ever see it changing is the parents teaching their kids manners, teaching them from a young age, that bullying isn't right, name calling isn't right, to be respectful of elders...what has happened with the kids now a days? Why is that not on a top of a list...instead of my child is going to be the next big hockey player, or dancer...why has that become top of learning,manners and just plain growing up and having fun as a child. Parents are to blame, my kids have learnt from a young age to be polite, and respectful...I worry one day they will not be able to take the bullying as we cannot see what is going on in their heads at all time, especially the scairy years coming up ...teenage years

Smallmolly
said

Jonah, you are wonderful and courageous. My heart is with you.

grumpy ol man
said

This is a powerful message, and this kid, along with many others needs some immediate assistance. I'm proud of the fact that he has the courage to send this message to the world, that shows a strong will to overcome these cowardly bullies. Only the weak and cowardly pick on others because their covering up for their lack of self confidence and self worth, they too need help because their being hurt as well. At least today something is being done about bullying. In my day you just had to endure it, it was a part of growing up. I'm going to do something to get involved in stopping this behaviour. This message is too strong to ignore.

PA
said

Free karate lessons for all bullied kids and don't punish them for defending themselves. Problem solved.

PEI Bob
said

I am a father and a grandfather. While watching this, I could not stop the tears - and I do not cry. His great agony needs his greater strength. But this is not his fight alone. Our society has got to look at itself far beyond the economy. Bullying is an ugly part of our nature that must be fixed or we stand to loose many more of our beautiful children and, for that matter, adults.

dante
said

Bullying is partly a problem that comes from adults. It comes from views in the news.. It comes from people you think are good moral people..It is obvious to some of us and other are oblivious to it. As a society we tolerate parents berating their children in ways that we call bullying if done by a peer of the child. Look around in your families and Identify the biggots, racists and bullies in your own peer group. You all have seen them in the work place. Not hard to see how children of these people extend what they think is normal behaviour. I know this for a fact. I know of a bully who is a step dad and and ex cop who spent a lot of energy to bully a 15 year old girl but since he was a cop others just said let it slide.... You adults all know these kinds of people and need to show some backbone and expose them. But the cowards are not the children in this game.

Scott (in Alberta Party country)
said

Students now feel comfortable wearing pink in support of gay students, where are the students in support of this brave young man.. Where's the Principal and his staff?

island girl
said

Where are his parents? The boy is CUTTING himself? How about a change of schools, private school? Moving? Counselling? Where are the adults in this boys life????

River
said

We all need to fight for our children and all people who experience this demeaning act of aggression.

Canadian Bob
said

A very brave young man whose life has been tragically affected by cowards. I commend his strength, and his ability to speak out. Growing up gay is made difficult by societal ignorance and unjustified hatred. Bullies should be expelled from our educational institutions, and the curriculum in our elementary and secondary institutions needs to address both sexual orientation and bullying issues far more seriously than it currently does. To Jonah Mowry, I pray that you have experienced the worst of this, and that you no longer have to endure any more pain. Be proud of who you are, hold that head up high. Young man, you truly shine far above the rest!