JACKSON, Wyo. — As the school year inches closer, now is a good time for parents to brush up on how to handle bullying if a child is experiencing it at school.
The Teton County Health Department (TCHD) recently shared an article from CredibleMind on understanding and preventing bullying. CredibleMind has other resources about bullying found here. According to a Pew Research Center survey, almost 75% of U.S. parents worry about bullying. Nearly half of teens ages 13 to 17 report having experienced some form of cyberbullying.
“If you’re worried your child is being bullied or you think your child may be bullying someone, it’s important to put an end to it as soon as possible in order to protect your child’s mental health,” reads the article.
In order to be considered “bullying,” the action must have three elements: it is done with the intention of causing harm; it is repeated over time; and it involves a power imbalance between the bully and the person being bullied. Threats, intimidation and verbal abuse can still be bullying — it does not have to be physical.
If bullying is suspected, look for the following signs. Physical signs include unexplained injuries and missing or destroyed belongings, especially if the child gives vague explanations. Behavioral symptoms include avoiding school or a particular activity; an unexpected drop in grades or performance; or bullying younger siblings, other people, or pets. Emotional signs include loss of interest in enjoyable activities, changes in eating or sleeping habits, withdrawing socially, sadness or irritability.
Without assuming the cause is bullying, talk to the child and let them know their behavior has been noticed. Invite them to think about what is causing the issues, let them know it’s OK to talk about it and validate their pain and frustration. Offer to make a plan together and ask if the child has any ideas of what to do about it; if they don’t, offer some options.
For those who suspect a child of being the bully, don’t fret. “This doesn’t mean that you are a bad parent of caregiver — bullying sometimes happens because a child is struggling and taking it out on others,” says the article. Again, don’t assume anything about the situation, but do tell the child what has been noticed or heard, and ask them what is happening. Let them know they can talk about it, and brainstorm together what stressors might be causing the behavior. Encourage empathy toward the person being bullied. Set boundaries by telling the child that it is not appropriate to treat others that way, regardless of the reason.
Pay attention to the child’s emotional state and reach out for help if needed. Whether a child is being bullied or bullying, it is important that they feel support. Ways to show support include helping the child find activities where they feel like they belong, making use of school counselors and reaching out to a mental health professional outside of school.
“As you prepare for the school year, it’s important to recognize any emotional changes in your child, big or small,” the article reads. “Catching any form of bullying as early as possible will help your child’s mental health in the long run.”
