West Lothian teenager makes video urging victims bullying to ask for help

A teenager from West Lothian has made a cutting edge video urging young people being bullied not to suffer in silence.

Sophie O’Mullan created powerful anti-bullying video

Sophie O’Mullan, 18, was inspired to make an anti-bullying video as part of a high school art project, after friends came to her for help when they experienced online abuse.

The student has been praised by respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service, for hard-hitting video ‘Who Am I?’ that aims to tackle bullying behaviour by sharing how it makes victims feel.

Sophie, now in her first year at the University of Dundee, created ‘Who Am I?’ as part of her advanced higher portfolio at St Kentigern's Academy.

Sophie said: “I’m so happy that my school work is getting the chance to reach a bigger audience as it has an important anti-bullying message at its heart.

"I’ve seen friends being bullied and people just being nasty. A lot of it was online. I think it can be worse online in a way as people get to hide behind a screen so don't take responsibility and say things they wouldn’t say to people face to face. I tried to help friends as best I could. The best thing they did was to speak up, it lifted a weight off their shoulders. I think this is an issue that really needs to be talked about.”

“The concept of my augmented reality video is based on the popular guessing game and represents those small things people say can have a huge impact on someone’s life. I hope the video encourages young people to speak up and ask for help. You don’t have to go through it in silence.”

Bryan Johnstone, Acting PTC of Art at St Kentigern’s Academy, in Blackburn, said: “Sophie is an exceptionally gifted student. This work is an outstanding example of her interest in technology and one which deserves a much bigger audience as it speaks so directly and powerfully.”

Katie Ferguson, Director of respectme, said: “Words can have a big impact on someone’s life, whether they are face to face or online during this ongoing pandemic.

“Our resources are free for anyone including parents and carers, schools, youth and sports groups to discuss and address bullying behaviours. By sharing the little things that helped, we can highlight that things can get better for others.”

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