Bullying & The Brain: Mental Health Impacts

By Fred Spencer

Bullying is a universal issue that knows no boundaries-impacting individuals of all ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses. As someone who has endured bullying, I understand its profound effects on mental health and well-being. This book aims to educate and empower you to take a stand against this destructive behavior. Bullying and mental healt

• Language: English
• Publisher: 4J
• Release date: Jul 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798987171028

Fred Spencer

Fred Spencer is a former professional basketball player who played in Vigo, Spain. A graduate of Springfield College, he also played college basketball at Chipola Jr. College in Marianna, Florida, and Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Now a business professional and educator, Fred's journey began in the small town of Pennington, Alabama, which he affectionately calls "the country."Growing up, Fred faced relentless teasing from elementary to late middle school due to his poor reading and writing abilities. Despite these challenges, he grew to an impressive 6'6" and found solace in basketball, which provided a temporary escape from the constant bullying.In college, Fred was diagnosed with dyslexia. The support and resources he received helped him overcome his condition and highlighted the importance of assistance for those struggling with learning disabilities. Basketball played a crucial role in teaching him to accept and manage his limitations, demonstrating the powerful impact of support and perseverance.Today, Fred is a respected leader and influencer in his community. He developed and wrote a book called "Anti-Bullying Through Sports," using his platform to advocate against bullying and raise awareness about its profound effects on mental health. Fred's mission is to educate and inspire others, emphasizing that bullying is not just a personal issue but a societal one that affects everyone.

Book preview

Thinking

If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don’t.

If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,

It is almost a certain – you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost;

For out in this world we find

Success begins with a fellow’s will

It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are;

You’ve got to think high to rise.

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger or faster man;

But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the one who thinks he can

– Walter D Wintle

Bullying & The Brain –Mental Health Impacts

Copyright © 2024 Fredrick Spencer

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author. Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews or special occasions.

FIRST EDITION

Published in 2024

To order bulk or additional copies of this book, contact:

4J’s SPORTS

www.4JsSports.com

eBook ISBN: 979-8-9871710-2-8

Library of Congress Case Number

Spencer, Fredrick

Bullying & The Brain -Mental Health Impacts

1-14050860661 | July, 2024

Library of Congress in Publication Data

Category: Anti-Bullying, Mental Health, Brain Health, Mindset, Motivational

Written by: Fredrick Spencer | [e-mail] | www.4JsSports.com | #4JsSports | #AntiBullyingThroughSports

Edited by: Kerri Marikakis (@kerlynn)

Transcribed and Interview by: Neil Manior

Cover Concept by: Fredrick Spencer | www.4JsSports.com

Cover Layout & Book Formatted by: Eli Blyden Sr. | www.EliTheBookGuy.com

Printed in the Tampa, FL, U.S.A. for Worldwide Distribution

Disclaimer

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom.

This book is dedicated to

YAHUAH

and you.

Preface

My Journey of Mental Fortitude

I’ve decided to share a chapter of my life that transcends the roar of the basketball court—a chapter that speaks to the silent battles we all face within. It’s a story of the formidable adversary that is often underestimated but can bring even the strongest among us to our knees: mental health.

In the sports world, I was not merely a player; I was a force to be reckoned with, a 6’6", 250-pound power forward. My physical prowess was undeniable, my mental strength unyielding—or so it seemed. Little did everyone know that a personal struggle was unfolding amidst all those thunderous dunks and shattered backboards, a battle against the shadows within.

The turning point came when I faced a challenge I simply couldn’t conquer with sheer physical might. No, this wasn’t an opponent on the court; it was an adversary within, a silent assailant we all know as depression. No matter how strong, resilient, or successful a person may appear on the outside, his or her mental health has the power to cast a dark shadow over even the brightest spirit.

It’s a truth I confronted head-on. Despite all the accolades, all the victories, and the physical prowess that defined my basketball career, depression had found its sly little way into the depths of my being. The sheer weight of it was immense—threatening to drown the very essence of who I was—and it was in those moments that the game-winning shots and slam dunks felt like distant echoes in a cavern of darkness.

What saved me from falling into the abyss was not just the strength of my body but rather the support of those who cared for me—my wife Kisha, my four children (Juon, Jannee’, Josiah, and Jazmin), extended family, my best friend Al Pinkins, and my parents Neil and Clemmie. In the face of so much mental turmoil, I relied on these anchors to hold me steady when the storm threatened to engulf me.

I ultimately discovered that seeking help was not a sign of weakness but instead an act of courage, a lifeline and glimmer of hope illuminating the path to recovery. With the right support and resources, I was able to navigate the labyrinth of depression and emerge not defeated but in fact strengthened by the struggle.

Depression does not discriminate. It can touch the lives of the strongest athletes, the most successful individuals, and the seemingly invincible. It is a battle fought in the recesses of the mind, hidden behind a facade of physical strength in some cases (like mine). Recognizing this truth is the first step towards breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

I share this deeply personal chapter not for sympathy but rather to shine a light on the importance of acknowledging mental health as an integral part of our well-being. It’s a reminder that no matter how powerful our bodies may in fact be,