That's awful to hear and I can totally relate as I was bullied most of my younger years but I have to admit had someone taught them kids and stopped them from name calling I would have grown up differently, the damage name calling causes is subject to the individual.
I also have never been suicidal due to bullying but it affects others differently, I hear so many stories of people trolled on facebook and social media and have died by suicide because it has affected them profoundly. That is why I think people should have free speech but use that privelidge with morals and respect for others whom it may affect.