October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It is a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families.
There are many forms of bullying. It can be verbal, physical, through social exclusion, or digital sources like email, texts, or social media. Unlike mutual teasing or fighting, bullying occurs when one person or group of people is perceived as being more powerful than another and takes advantage of that power through repeated physical assaults, threats of harm, intimidation, or by purposely excluding a person from a valued social group.
Being bullied can severely affect a person’s self-image, social interactions, and school performance, leading to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. It can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors as well.
There are many steps you can take to prevent bullying, including:
- Addressing bullying at school- educators and teachers can create a safe and supportive learning environment and a classroom culture of positivity, inclusivity, and respect.
- Talking about bullying at home- parents and caregivers can talk with their children about their school and digital life, and the many roles children can play in bullying.
- Supporting your community- mentors can model kindness, inclusivity, and respect.
- Raising awareness- share information about bullying prevention, its impact, and resources for support on social media to educate your community.
- Support anti-bullying organizations- contribute to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to bullying prevention and support for victims.
- Organize anti-bullying events- plan or participate in events, workshops, and seminars in your community that focus on bullying prevention and promote empathy.
- Engage in school programs- encourage schools to implement anti-bullying programs and provide resources for students, teachers, and parents.
- Be an upstander- teach children and teenagers the importance of standing up for others and reporting bullying incidents when they occur.
Participating in bullying prevention allows you to join the fight against bullying and create a more inclusive and empathetic society.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.