Bullying Prevention

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Have you ever experienced bullying? Chances are high that your answer is a yes as according to National Center for Educational Statistics, One out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied. That is why to educate and raise awareness about bullying, October is observed as a Bullying prevention month. By definition, bullying is “an Act or written or spoken words intended to intimidate or harass a person or to cause physical harm to a person or his or her property.”

 Exposure to bullying in any manner – by being bullied, bullying others, or witnessing peers being bullied – has long-term, negative effects on children. Children who are bullied may develop anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harming behavior (especially for girls), alcohol and drug use and dependence, aggression, and involvement in violence or crime (especially for boys). Being bullied also increases cortisol levels – a stress hormone – in the body, which typically happens after a stressful event. Moreover, it has a negative impact on school grades and general performance.

You may be a part of bullying and you may not even recognize it, like if you are using your power, which may be your popularity, size and strength, certain group of friends, to hurt someone physically or emotionally. Even just writing hurtful comments and spreading rumors online is a type of bullying called cyberbullying.

Always remember as an individual, you have the power to prevent bullying. You can practice to be more kind to yourself and others. Even if someone just looks different than yourself, be open to know them and accept them thus encouraging inclusion.

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Importance of Mental Health/Depression Screening

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