Bullying is a pervasive issue affecting the mental health of children and adolescents worldwide. Defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves an imbalance of power, bullying can take many forms, including physical, verbal, and relational.<\/p>\n
According to a survey funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), more than 16 percent of U.S. school children report being bullied during the current term. This statistic highlights the widespread nature of bullying in American schools, with both the bully and the person being bullied at a higher risk of depression.<\/p>\n
Being bullied can have long-lasting effects on mental health. People who were bullied as children are more likely to suffer from depression and low self-esteem, well into adulthood. Meanwhile, bullies themselves are more likely to engage in criminal behavior later in life.<\/p>\n
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Bullying can be physical, verbal, or relational. Physical bullying involves hitting or attacking someone or damaging their belongings. Verbal bullying includes teasing, threatening to hurt someone in person or online, and name-calling. Relational bullying is the purposeful exclusion of a person from a group or spreading rumors about them.<\/p>\n
To reduce bullying at school and online, it’s essential to engage bystanders in taking action against it. By empowering youth who may find themselves as bystanders, we can help create a culture that does not tolerate bullying.<\/p>\n
The “Bullying: Be More Than a Bystander” curriculum emphasizes the importance of empowering bystanders to take action against bullying. By being a friend to the person who is being bullied, telling a trusted adult about observed bullying, helping the person get away from the bullying without putting themselves at risk, and setting a good example by not enabling or engaging in bullying, youth can help create a safer environment for everyone.<\/p>\n
In addition to addressing physical and verbal bullying, it’s crucial to protect oneself and others from cyberbullying. This includes not sharing personal information online, blocking or reporting bullies on social media platforms, and talking to a trusted adult if experiencing cyberbullying.<\/p>\n
Bullying is a serious issue affecting the mental health of children and adolescents worldwide. By addressing bullying through education and empowerment, we can help create a safer environment for all students to learn and grow.<\/p>\n
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