During a recent chat with Audacy’s Mike Adam, Halsey opened up about her mental health when it comes to bullying. Sharing how she’s learned to heal those past wounds and face those challenges now, as an adult.

“You know, I think when I was younger, I felt really different than everybody else. I don't know, I just felt like, I would wonder sometimes like if I was born wrong, you know what I mean?,” Halsey shared.

Recalling “it varied,” when it came to what she got picked on for. “I moved a lot when I was a kid. So I was kind of always starting at a new school which you know, sets you off for an immediate disadvantage.”

“When I was little, it was like my appearance,” Halsey recalled, “I had glasses and like big rabbit teeth and frizzy hair… freckles. I literally got made fun… shoved into lockers and stuff… It was my appearance.”

“As I was older,” she continued, “it kind of got a little bit more personal. I came out in high school so, I was bi in high school in a town where, like… everyone was straight or closeted. So I definitely took a lot of heat for that. And I started experimenting with my appearance pretty early too, I had really short hair in high school and I started getting tattoos… and I was into weird music and weird hobbies.”

“I think that being different, people are afraid of things they don't understand. I think sometimes that fear also comes from perhaps like an internal desire to understand,” Halsey added. “When people are young and they don't know who they are, they can get really easily provoked or triggered by a person who seems like they really do know who they are. Because it makes them have to reflect on themselves, and be like, ‘gosh would I be that brave to wear that or do that?’”

“I learned that as an adult,” Halsey admitted, “so it kind of helps me, look back and heal that part of me. When it comes to coping with bullying, I always try to remind myself that other people's opinions of me, no matter how much they feel like they matter, they really, really truly don’t. And that at the end of the day, your reputation is not the same as your character.”

“If you know who you are, and you continue to grow, and be and exist in honor of that person, then the people who love you, and who respect you, and who are going to become your community like your village, they will find you because that sense of self will be loud enough for them to hear and flock to you.”

Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Maia Kedem Interview by Mike Adam