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As you are driving around the county you may have noticed the many signs and banners bringing attention to National Bullying Prevention month.
National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States every October founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
Our local school districts have joined with this National initiative implementing district wide anti-bullying activities and campaigns, anonymous reporting of bullying and partnering with the Health and Behavioral Wellness Council of Greater Colorado Valley to bring awareness into the communities. The theme of this year’s campaign is Stand Up, Speak Out.
Although much attention has been focused on this problem over the last decade, statistics show that Bullying is still occurring and Cyberbullying is on the rise:
• 1 out of every 5 (20.2%) students report being bullied.
• 41% of students who reported being bullied at school indicated that they think the bullying would happen again.
• 1 in 5 (20.9%) tweens (9 to 10 years old) has been cyberbullied Students reported that the most common places bullying occurred:
• hallway or stairwell at school (43%),
• inside the classroom (42%),
• In cafeteria (27%), Adolescents who are bullied are more likely to experience thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.
It’s important as we seek to decrease these incidences of bullying, we examine some of the myths that may be contributing to minimizing the behavior and the impact on its victims.
MYTH: “Bullying will make kids tougher.”
FACT: Bullying does not make someone tougher. Research has shown it often has the opposite effect; it lowers a child’s selfesteem and often creates fear and increases anxiety.
MYTH: “Bullying is easy to recognize.” FACT: Physical bullying may be easy to spot, however, it is the covert bullying— such as shunning, alienating, and leaving children out on purpose—that is much harder to detect.
MYTH: “Ignoring bullying will make it go away.”
FACT: Ignoring the problem will not make it go away, it often makes the situation worse, because it sends a message that the target is unable to do anything.
Bullying also can have long lasting negative consequences:
• Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school.
• Students who are both targets of bullying and engage in bullying are at greater risk for both mental health and behavior problems.
That’s why we need everyone to Stand Up and Speak Up.
What can we do:
• Zero tolerance – change culture that bullying is a normal part of growing up, which starts in the home, schools, and organized sports.
• Keep lines of communication open
• Create opportunities for connection
• Model how to treat others with kindness and respect Studies show that one of the most important factors in creating resiliency in children is having at least one person that they feel is on their side and that they can trust to help them through difficult times. Let’s all be that for the children and youth in our community.
Stand up, speak up against bullying
Helpful Websites:
• PACERS.org/bullying
• www.stopbullying.com
• Net Cetera: Chatting with kids about being online (For parents to learn about where to go, what to do)
• 988 National Call or Text Hotline
Local counseling resources:
• Gratia Plena Clinic 832-532-0129
• Texana Behavioral Healthcare Clinic 979-732- 6204
• Youth and Family Services 979-7328355
