National World Bullying Prevention Month
Each October, we come together and pledge to end bullying! Bullying, in all its forms, is on the rise and a silent epidemic in the United States according to Stomp Out Bullying, a national organization dedicated to ending this epidemic. Unfortunate consequences can occur as the result of bullying when people don't think in the act, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicide.
Bullying can contribute to intense feelings of helplessness and hopelessness involved in suicidal behaviors. Victims and offenders who have experienced continued, frequent bullying are at a higher risk for suicidal behavior and bully victims have the highest risk for suicidal behavior.
Emotional and mental health are a vital part of overall health. Those who are connected to their emotional health journey are in control of their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. They are better able to cope with life's challenges, including bullying!
What You Can Do
Tell someone immediately. Continue to document incidents and report them. Support the individual by helping them report the bullying.
As we know, words carry weight. So do your part and help stop bullying by being an active upstander. The most effective way to do that is to be a positive force in the world one person at a time.
Walk away when the bully approaches you. Try and imagine you’re walking away from a stranger. Both you and your body language will show you don’t care.
Concentrate on thinking about something else (maybe a concert you want to go to, or a new outfit you want to buy.)
When the bully approaches you, count to 100 and keep walking. They’ll never see how upset you are.
Yelling STOP and walk away. Keep walking and don’t turn around no matter what they say.
When a bully calls you a name or tells you your sneakers are ugly -- look at them in the eyes and laugh hysterically and say, "I know my sneakers are ugly." Keep laughing hysterically and walk away without any additional conversation
When the bully harasses you and calls you names, look them in the eyes, LAUGH and walk away without any additional conversation.
