Bullying refers to hurting, intimidating, or seeking to coerce someone. It’s a major vice that affects everyone involved, including the bully, the bully, and the bystander. Young people in particular are more likely to be bullied and can be affected for life. That’s why targeting bullying in the most common places is essential. October is celebrated as Bullying Prevention Month, a joint initiative held since 2006 involving schools, clubs, businesses and communities. But before we discuss strategies for creating a more inclusive community, let’s think about how bullying works.
Why do teenagers start bullying?
An important factor is their upbringing. Growing up in an abusive childhood may make one more vulnerable to bullying. Having groups of unhealthy peers or playmates as children also increases the chance of developing a habit of bullying.
Moreover, doing so provides them with an outlet for stress, frustration, and uncontrolled aggression. It makes up for their low self-esteem by making them appear dominant in some way.
Bullying can refer to a lack of coping skills, impulse control, or an inability to tolerate distress. Children who bully violent behaviors that can continue into adulthood. They are likely to fight, destroy property, or drop out of school.
Read more: Raising awareness of mental health in the workplace
How is the person who is bullied affected?
Children who are bullied often drop out or miss school regularly. Doing so harms their grades and mental health. If they are already isolated from their peers, their feelings of loneliness and isolation may intensify. Bullying increases the chances of depression or anxiety. The bully may find themselves losing interest or motivation to do things they used to enjoy. Or they may find it difficult to sleep or eat regularly.
Passers-by play an important role
Bystanders are an essential part of the bullying process. They accept bullying as it is or don’t try to fight it. This situation is normal for anyone who does not want to participate. But even spectators are likely to miss school. Many choose to distract themselves from the situation through unhealthy coping mechanisms such as skipping school or using tobacco or drugs. Bystanders can also develop psychological problems if the bullying affects them severely.
How do you build a community based on kindness?
You can find information about Bullying Prevention Month 2022 on pacer.org. You can also find student activity groups to prevent bullying. Or you can participate in Unity Day, an event of many communities, organizations, and individuals coming together.
Start wearing orange and spread awareness about Bullying Prevention Month to inspire more people to join the cause.
Educators and social workers can take various steps to create an inclusive and understandable environment.
The first and most important step is to empower students and encourage them to speak out. Second, promoting healthy boundaries and a sense of self-worth can restore the bully’s dignity.
Finally, developing children who are more sensitive, understanding, and socially connected can help reduce bullying dramatically.
Read more: Youth mental health websites
conclusion
Bullying is an activity that negatively affects clubs, schools, other institutions, and most importantly a student’s mental health. Even in the mental health community, the first step (communication) is the hardest but most important to recovery.
Fortunately, many resources are available for students who have been bullied and suffer from mental health conditions. On this note, here is a file List of best scholarships for mental health to help reduce their financial burden.
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