Katie's story

One night, a young teenager named Katie* rang Dolly’s Dream Support Line. Her voice shook as she told me what was happening to her. How she felt trapped and scared.

The bullying was happening at school and online and she carried the weight of it all in silence. She didn’t want to worry her parents, so she told no one. Not a soul.

But the pain grew heavier every day. She even started to harm herself just to cope. She felt alone and hopeless about the future.

But one night, everything changed.  With trembling hands, Katie called the Dolly’s Dream Bullying Support Line after seeing it on a poster at school. 

And for the first time, she was able to pour her heart out to someone who would listen without judgment. Together, we talked through the anguish she was carrying, created a safety plan, and found a way forward that gave her hope.

By the end of that call, Katie no longer felt alone. 

She felt heard. She felt stronger. She even decided to open up to her mum, knowing she could always reach us again.


*This is a true account, but images and names have been changed to protect safety and privacy.