WHY I NEARLY REMOVED MYSELF FROM THIS WORLD - The Negative Impact of Workplace Bullying

With it being #AntiBullyingWeek I have decided to share a video a little different, sharing a bit about my experiences of bullying and workplace discrimination before I was diagnosed #autistic and how this bullying led me to my darkest days. Fortunately seeking an #autism diagnosis helped me on a path out from that dark place.
I don't think bullies are often aware of the impact of their actions. I have faced a lot of bullying in the past here on KZbin for being autistic and for posting helpful content. It doesn't happen so much now luckily. I was occasionally targeted for bullying as a child and teen, but don't have any experiences which significantly stand out as having a big impact on me, unlike this workplace bullying example, but felt that this shares what can be going on within people which others maybe unaware of and the importance of reaching out and being supportive and there for those who need you. This is especially important for young people who may struggle to share what is going on for them, so if they do, they need to be listened to and helped.
It is so valuable having people there for you if you are in this situation, even if all they can do is listen and be supportive and I think it is important, like with mental health challenges etc, to show that it is okay to talk about these things, rather than hide them and not seek support. That is why I often talk about very difficult topics like this, sharing this sort of information, to help normalise sharing and talking about things like this, rather than having them almost like taboo subjects which can lead to people suffering and struggling in silence...
If you are struggling and need help, this site can hopefully point you in the direction of support near you: www.findahelpline.com/
#actuallyautistic #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #autismawareness

[@theoddbox]

I got a late autism diagnosis aswell (i was 19) and as a kid everyone always told me I wouldn't get bullied anymore when I grew up because adults dont act like that but the thing is they do, a lot of them do. I still remember the first time I interacted with a big group of other adults at some party I wound up at and it felt exactly the same as it did interacting with other kids in elementary-high school but somehow worse. Something about getting bullied as an adult by other adults, some of whom are much older just hurts a lot more and in a very different way. Kids dont care about consequences but adults do so they see people like us here as a people they can be mean to without any consequences. The best we can do is stay as far away as we can and find people who arent cruel like that.

[@Davlavi]

Powerful message thank you.

[@MichaelKalyaano]

Dear Mr Jones, thank you for sharing this very important information about bullying and autism. You are courageous and wise. Well done surviving until today. I am so grateful. Your work in this channel and in your books is inspiring me to stand up for my rights and the rights of friends and colleagues in the work place. You also inspire me to find out more about myself and accept my excellent qualities regarding whether others are aware of these qualities or not. I relate to your values of social justice,generosity, compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity, especially your own dignity. ❤ I believe you are extraordinary! You are an influencer in the best way. You are always channeling wholesomeness. 🌞 Humanity needs more people like you, willing to be authentic and share the best. Thank you 🙏🏼 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@DanTheTortoise]

Thank you Michael... All the best Dan...

[@HokeTheDog]

Thank you for telling your story. I am a survivor of work place bullying and seriously late diagnosis also. I think this video will help many people.

[@EricMHowardII-yh1rn]

Bullying plus Stress along with indifference is not acceptable nor helpful . I am sorry that you had to deal with death of dispair. Of wanting to kill yourself because of bullying. Thank you for opening up your heart.

[@DanTheTortoise]

Thank you...

[@lize8204]

Life tosses all sorts of unpleasant things our way. The idea that people make things worse (instead of better) is pretty wretched. While it doesn't diminish the harm created, I believe people can learn and change. Hopefully some of those bullies have had opportunities to develop awareness and alter their behavior. The journey you went through helped shape the person you are today, a kind person who helps people. You have so much to be proud of.

[@DanTheTortoise]

Thank you...

[@cyberiad]

Thank you for sharing this Dan. I greatly admire your strength. Even though I believe that typical white males have many advantages that other groups don't have, I think they also face exceptional discrimination when they don't fit into a narrow range of types. It still kind of blows my mind that so many of your colleagues and managers who were nominally healers and helpers would be capable of such insensitivity and inflexibility. I don't know if it's because I'm a woman or what; but I have cycles of acute suicidality and I've never felt I had to hide it. Once when I was committed to hospital, I called my employers and simply told the truth. They sent an orchid to the hospital and told me to get better; that my job would be there for me whenever I felt better. I didn't have to struggle through getting a diagnosis of anything, for them to understand. I'm sorry you had to go through that and I'm glad you're alive. You're a good person.

[@Aerojet01]

One most never generalize. I don't think it's about race, bullying is a global pandemic cross so many cultures and nationalities. I've met white males who have been victims of bulling and harassment. Women can be very cruel in the workplace. Trust me.

[@fraz006]

Bullies are insecure cowards. Just complain to those higher than them whenever there is need. Continue doing job , ignore them. Record everything. They consistently spread false/tampered stories to turn every people against the target. Dont forget that owners are smart and want every pennies spent for every single hire worth it. Owners wont simply believe these cowards. Those who easily believe bullies lies usually do not matter. Most will just pretend to laugh just so they wont be the next target.

[@DanTheTortoise]

I've almost always been bullied by the owners or person at the top unfortunately, but then many people who get to the top are psychopaths which is how they got there...

[@fraz006]

@@DanTheTortoise not the normal case here. Record everything ,email complaints , need them when 'forced' to resign later

[@tobias132]

Hi Dan, thank you so much for sharing. I admire your courage and openess 🤍 It‘s really a shame how some things are handled in the professional world. Imo, this also reflects deeper societal issues - the way people treat each other, this dependence on superficial interactions and conversations .. yikes. I hope and pray that the day comes when there will be jobs within peaceful and free environments 🙏