Tom Moilanen, a 22-year-old vocational school graduate, expresses disappointment over the lack of support from his teachers during his struggles with bullying and anxiety.
Tom Moilanen, a 22-year-old from Viitasaari, Finland, is processing his experiences of being bullied since preschool and feeling let down by the support provided by his vocational school. Moilanen, who graduated from the Spesia vocational institution in Jyväskylä in 2023, requires special educational support due to his learning issues and anxiety, which significantly impacted his school experience. He reflects on how teachers seemed preoccupied, leaving him without the necessary guidance during crucial moments.
Despite being passionate about hands-on work rather than video games or computers, Moilanen's time at Spesia was marked by distress due to bullying behaviors such as shoving, kicking, and mocking, which persisted into his vocational education. His physical appearance, notably his weight—45 kilograms heavier during his final year—was a contributing factor to the bullying he endured. The psychological aftermath not only affected his academic journey but also continues to manifest in anxiety and panic attacks.
Moilanen's story highlights the significant challenges faced by students requiring special support in educational settings, particularly regarding bullying and mental health in vocational education. His experiences call into question the adequacy of the support systems in place within such institutions, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and intervention to assist vulnerable students effectively.
