Welcome to the fall! We are fully in pumpkin spice season, and in addition to Halloween and beautiful scenery, October brings with it an abundance of anti-bullying messaging. Officially dubbed National Bullying Prevention Month, October also includes occasions such as Spirit Day and National Stop Bullying Day. However, despite all the awareness and well-intentioned campaigns, bullying continues to persist as a prevalent part of our culture. I think of those of you who are navigating harassers in unsafe situations all around the country. Whether you are dealing with bullies at school or in the workplace or community in which you live, you are not alone. I think about all of the stories that go untold and all of the voices that don’t get amplified often. I have felt this way myself. My brother Tyler may have felt that his voice was silenced and his pain did not matter to anyone, but I know differently. I know that your story is important and I want to hear your voice. One of my hopes for this mindfulness blog is that I can offer some perspective to those of you readers who are really going through some challenging times, whether with bullying or with mental health matters. I want to hear from you, especially if you’re in a bullying situation that feels overwhelming and you are unsure of how to navigate the situation. Reach out with your story and let me know what is going on. I will anonymously share your letter, and offer my professional and personal feedback. This isn’t meant to be a doom-and-gloom message, although it would be appropriate given the weather. However, it is important to bridge the gap between the sensationalized messaging and real-world experiences and expectations. If you are reading this blog and you or someone you care about is experiencing bullying, send your questions to outreach@tylerclementi.org! I want to hear from you about what’s going on in your life, and take some space in this column to address your situation with resources, advice, and reframing perspectives. I know that just because we don’t want bullying to happen doesn’t eliminate it on its own, and we need to take every story and experience of bullying seriously. Your story matters, and I look forward to hearing about it!