nationalbullyingpreventionmonth Archives

As much as 20% of children aged 12 to 18 experiencing bullying throughout the United States. It is a prevalent issue that can happen at school, home, online, or in any other place where children regularly spend time.

Bullying is a problem that holds consequences for both victims and perpetrators. Kids who get bullied are at higher risk for mental and emotional issues such as depression and anxiety, health issues, and decreased academic performance. Bullies themselves are at higher risk for substance abuse, criminal behavior, and dropping out of school. Even kids who witness bullying may face a higher risk of substance abuse, mental health problems, and absenteeism.

Deadly consequences can occur as a result of bullying. It can contribute to a victim’s risk of committing suicide or, in rare cases, to extremely violent retaliatory measures such as a mass shooting.

Preventing bullying effectively involves helping children understand bullying, teaching them how to respond to it, and providing positive examples for them to follow. You can achieve these objectives by:

Providing a clear explanation of what bullying is and how it affects others.
Helping children to identify bullying and encouraging them to report it to an adult.
Teaching children to treat people with respect, kindness, and empathy.

If you believe that your child is experiencing mental health or developmental problems that are causing them to bully other children or are a result of their experiences as a victim of bullying, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department by calling (718) 670-5213 now.

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.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month is a nationwide campaign founded in 2006 and its mission is to reach out to communities in an effort to educate and raise awareness of bullying and the tools for prevention.

Bullying occurs when an individual or group possesses an imbalance of power, either from a physical or social status perspective, over another person or group. While bullying is prevalent among all age groups, it has become a serious cause for concern among children.

The National Bullying Prevention Center defines bullying as behavior that hurts or harms another person physically or emotionally. Those being bullied often have difficulty stopping the behavior directed at them and struggle to defend themselves.

Statistics have shown that at least 28 percent of students, ages 12-18, reported being bullied at school during the year. Additionally, 7.2 % of students admit to not going to school due to personal safety concerns. Many fear the physical and verbal aggression of their peers, and many more attend school in a state of anxiety and depression.

Many children will not tell parents they are being bullied until the situation escalates, but there a few changes in their behavior that can alert you. Signs that your child may be a victim of bullying include refusing to speak about their day at school,not wanting to go to school, unexplained marks and bruises, asking for more lunch money, complaining of frequent headaches and stomach aches,sudden loss of friends and frequent nightmares.

If you find that your child is being bullied, you will need to document the dates, times and places of the action. If the bullying is taking place on school grounds, call the school and schedule a face to face meeting with a teacher or principal. If not on school grounds, notify the police.

Most schools have adopted an anti-bullying policy. Obtain a copy to determine if the bully violated school law. Bullying is best handled when you work together, with the proper authorities.

After notification, be sure to follow up with your child, and the school, to make sure that the bullying has stopped.