How Hope Giselle overcame bullying to help others live their best lives
Suicide Prevention Awareness Week (September 4-10) is bringing light to an often stigmatized and serious topic. Queerty contributor Andrea Marks-Joseph spoke to author and artist Hope Giselle about her self-care strategies, the moment when considering suicide transformed her, and how, through her work with a new campaign called Depression Looks Like Me, she hopes to remind others who may be suffering there is help out there.“We had these windows that slid all the way open,” recalls Hope Giselle of her freshman dorm room at Alabama State University. “I just remember sitting on my windowsill.”Giselle had grown up in Miami, which she describes as “a huge melting pot of unique people, fashion, styles, life, sexuality, and gender expression.” The adjustment to the Bible Belt for the transgender student brought with it unexpected bullying and microaggressions.
In response to one of these moments, Giselle experienced suicidal thoughts.“I was having a really tough time adjusting,” Giselle tells Queerty. “I remember being picked on the entire year and one day just having a breakdown.
I walked into the cafeteria, and it felt like everyone was laughing at me. I had posted [on our class Facebook page] about starting the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) on campus, and someone had taken the flyer that I posted, put my face on it, and said some really derogatory things.
I ran back to my room.”“The only thing that saved me from jumping was that I had spoken to my mother briefly before I walked into the cafeteria,” says Giselle. “Something prompted her to call the Student Life director, who, along with the Head of Admissions, kicked my door in and pulled me out of the window.
