Jonah Mowry: 'Whats goin on..'

Jonah Mowry: 'Whats goin on..' video
Thank you to everyone for all your loving support, comments, messages, videos and letters.... it has meant more to my family and I than I could ever tell you all.

I made this video August 2011, a few weeks before school was about to start. I was 13. It was a very emotionally confusing and dark time in my life. I made the video at 4:00am in the morning. I hadn't been sleeping at night for a long time; I had too many things going on in my head, tearing me up inside. I was dreading going back to school. All I could think about were all the bad things that had been happening at school last year, every year for that matter. I just couldn't bare to go through that anymore. Over the summer I finally just accepted who I was. Only my closest friends knew. I was scared. I wanted to come out to my family but didn't know how to. I was done pretending to be "fake" happy, pretending hateful words didn't hurt me, and done hiding it all from my family.

This video was made for me, my family, and my friends that had moved on to High School who were worried for me. I wanted to say to my High School friends that I was going to take a stand and I was going to be OK. And to the haters at my middle school that I'm not going anywhere, I am who I am. I posted the video as "unlisted" here and told people were to find it. That was it...

At the end of Aug. 2011, everything eventually came crashing down and out in the open. I finally told my parents what was "really" happening to me all this time. I let them know the extent of the bullying and I told them about the cutting. They knew something was going on, and always tried their best to help me. But I got very good at hiding it all. I thought if I told them, it would just make it worse and the bullies would come back at me harder. So, I would just take the abuse. And I just didn't want to worry my family and cause more problems.

At this time I came out to my family. After finally letting go of everything I felt a huge weight off my shoulders. I started seeing a Family Therapist and I started to find some happiness again. I felt accepted for who I was, and I felt confident and stronger.

My parents were always there for me through all of this, always there to listen, to talk and to support me no matter what. Looking back, all I had to do was simply ask for help.

School started Sept. 2011. Over the next several weeks my close friends and others saw the video and were moved by it. At the end of November, I was encouraged to make the video "public" and link it to my Facebook page so more people could see it. Maybe it could help someone else going through the same thing. And once and for all, my whole school would know and that would be the end of it. And this would quietly fade away and life would go on. So I changed the video to "public" and linked it to my Facebook page Nov. 30th. My parents finally saw the video for the first time Dec. 1st.

Then, over the next few days all this happened.

I never expected in a million years that it would have such a wonderful impact on so many people from all over the world. It's incredible. I am truly humbled and truly thankful for all the love, encouragement and support. All the wonderful, heartfelt videos, messages, letters and phone calls, it's been overwhelming. I don't know what to say. Thank you so, so much!

When the video came out there were people at school that realized that they had hurt me and felt sorry for their behavior. I did make some new friends and I have my High School friends. School is OK for the most part. Things still go on here and there. I know there will always be people that hate for whatever reason. And there is nothing I can do about that. And of course, like everyone else I have ups and downs and have things to work on. But now, it just feels easier every day to stay on the "up" side of life than ever before.

"Whats goin on.." is my story, and sadly the story for 1,000s of kids who go through this pain and abuse every day. I was one of the lucky ones and now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hundreds of kids do not and tragically give up. Bullying and Teen suicide is real, and is serious. I hope all that see my video find hope, inspiration and know they are not alone.

Thank you all, Love and peace to all who are hurting.
Stay Strong!
Jonah Mowry

Video -- "Whats goin on..." US copyright ©2011 Jonah Mowry. All rights reserved. Duplication without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Music -- "Breathe Me" by Sia. Used with permission from the artist. Thank you Sia!! ℗ 2004, 2005 Systemtactic Limited t/a Go! Beat under exclusive license to Astralwerks.

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[Dragon Maker]

U have suport from sweden my friend. !!

[vettrix]

The people that bully have unbalanced homes and parents and this is how they become such monsters. In your pain, try to have compassion for them because you are the one who will flourish. You are the one who has a LOT of courage and strength. You took a huge risk and are being rewarded for your actions. Hopefully this will teach you that trying to fit in with people is NOT cool, but that having the courage to be different IS cool. Millions r 2 afraid 2 do what you did in many areas of life!

[Mike Domínguez]

school seems like it's forever, it's not. don't worry, things will get better. in a few years your life is going to take off and you're going to be so happy and stronger for all you've gone through. i couldn't watch your video without crying. don't give into the haters and bullies, they're not worth it. fuck them. study hard, go to college, be amazing and make them eat it.

[ThePistacchio1]

I am with you, my friend. A hug from Italy

[Redwolf4407]

if I was there I would help u fight, don't give up North Dakota is with u.

:]

[Loredith Obia]

H!, please stay strong no matter what happen God loves you and your family, don't mind those people bullying you and no matter what happen have faith to god, if im your parents i;ll give you i million hugs and kisses to show how much i love you for me your the best:).

[Meya brighwater]

You are stronger than u think because u told the world that this was happening but some others would have kept it a secret from every one ...... Stay strong one day you'll look at these days and think u came so far but and soo brave :)

[Patrick C.]

Keep going man, don't quit. My advice is if they don't like you, fuck em all

[misLatoya1]

jonah if you read this ,

everyone in the Netherlands support you and nobody hates you and you don't need to hate yourself.

I will now also bullied and I am the same as you experienced. and people like you and me still have at least one friend. and later when we are no longer children comes us well and there must believe in this.

there is still a lifetime ear us!!

[Ariel Kiehborth]

you are really brave to put this on the internet. I find you a very strong young man and i have learn from the past that the more you go through the stronger that you will become. If you would like to get in contact with me that is fine just leave another message on here about how you want to and i will message you back[iminent=X4yHKAgUWfOB]

[marilena1ful]

Yes You have millions of reasons to stay!!!!

[Ashlee W.]

When you held up that card saying that you were stronger than that and you had millions of reasons to be here, I smiled through my tears. You're honestly one of the bravest kids I've seen on here. It take genuine courage to do what you just did. Don't give up now, don't surrender today. You have to keep fighting because you deserve to be here. Once you're out of school, people will accept you for who you really are. Just remember that. Good luck sweetheart (: