171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
800-424-MUSC
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October 2005
Mental Health Resource News Brief
Bullying Basics
Surveys indicate that as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years, and at least 10 percent are bullied on a
regular basis. Bullies come in all shapes and sizes and ages. Kids usually become bullies because they are unhappy inside for some reason
or don't know how to get along with other kids. Some kinds of bullying are
- Verbal - name-calling, including name-calling, happens most often
- Physical - punching, pushing
- Relational - leaving someone out of a game or group on purpose
- Extortion - stealing someone's money or toys
- Cyberbullying - using computers, the Internet, mobile phones, etc. to bully others
Other kids are watching 85 percent of the time when one kid bullies another kid. If you suspect a child may be the victim of bullying or that they
are witnessing bullying, ask him or her to tell you what's going on. Respond in a positive and accepting manner and provide opportunities to
talk in an open and honest way.
What can parents and health care professionals do?
- Seek help from the child's teacher or the school guidance counselor. Most bullying occurs on playgrounds, in lunchrooms, and
bathrooms, on school buses or in unsupervised halls. Adults should ask what the child thinks should be done? What's already been
tried? What worked and what didn't?
- Ask the school administrators to find out about programs other schools and communities have used to help combat bullying, such
as peer mediation, conflict resolution, and anger management training, and increased adult supervision.
- Help the child assertively practice what to say to the bully so he or she will be prepared the next time. The simple act of
insisting that the bully leave him alone may have a surprising effect. Explain to the child that the bully's true goal is to get a response.
What adults can teach the youth to do?
- Always tell an adult. It is their job to help keep you safe. Teachers or parents rarely see a bully being mean to someone else,
but they want to know about it so they can help stop the bullying.
- Stay in a group when traveling back and forth from school, during shopping trips, on the school playground or other outings. Kids,
who bully, often pick on kids who are by themselves - it's easier and they're more likely to get away with their bad behavior.
- If it feels safe, try to stand up to the person who is bullying you. This doesn't mean you should fight back or bully them back.
Instead, tell the person bullying you that you don't like it and that they should stop. Kids who bully often like to see that they can
make you upset. Otherwise, try walking away to avoid the bully, and seek help from a teacher, coach, or other adult.
- If you are being bullied online, don't reply. This may actually make the bullying worse. Instead, be sure to tell a family member
or another adult you trust.
Bullying hurts everyone. Victims can have their feelings hurt or be injured by bullies. If your child becomes withdrawn, depressed then seek
professional help. Children who are bullied experience real suffering that can interfere with their social and emotional development, as well
as their school performance. Some victims of bullying have even attempted suicide rather than continue to endure such harassment and punishment.
Other kids can feel sad or scared, even if they are just watching a bully pick on someone else. Kids who bully often grow up to become adult bullies.
This material was adapted from the Web sites
http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/80.htm
Peer supervision topics such as this are discussed at the third Tuesday of the month 8 a.m. Breakfast meeting supported by the Maternal and Child
Health Bureau and Shire Pharmaceutical. Join us for the Promoting Happy and Healthy Youth group in room 379 of Rutledge Tower. For more information
please contact spratte@musc.edu or maciasm@musc.edu.
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