Bully Prevention Programs
Bullying has gained unprecedented national attention. Research highlights the correlation between bullying and mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicide. Federal and state lawmakers are addressing this growing epidemic and requiring schools to detail their preventive and responsive efforts. Prevention strategies, multi-tiered positive behavioral supports, and school-wide policies that define bullying and outline interventions are a few examples of best practices. Instances of bullying should be thoroughly investigated and, in extreme cases of violence and aggression, a threat assessment could be pursued to evaluate risk of harm posed to all participants, both to themselves and to others. In addition, research and program evaluation are critical elements of a comprehensive approach to prevention efforts.
All programs mentioned below are research-based, with proven results.
RECOMMENDED SCHOOL-BASED BULLYING PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
· Start prevention early. Bullying behaviors can start in preschool. Intervening early can help equip students with the social and emotional skills that will help prevent later bullying behaviors and will help set a foundation for healthy social relationships. In fact, bullying programs appear to be most effective in the younger years. Teaching social skills under the auspices of teaching respectful behavior might be a way of approaching social–emotional instruction (e.g., school-wide positive behavior support).
· Develop anti-bullying policies. While policies do not necessarily change behaviors, they stipulate that bullying in the school environment will not be tolerated and they delineate consequences for bullying others.
· Understand the connection between bullying and mental health problems. Research has consistently shown that bullies, targets, and bully-targets have poor mental health prognoses. Involvement in bullying has been linked to depression, anxiety, increased school drop-out rates, and increased suicide ideation, thus impacting academic achievement.
· Keep up with technology. Bullying often takes place in areas hidden from adult supervision, and young people are using social media and new technologies to bully others. Both bullying prevention programs and suicide prevention programs need to be aware of the realities of electronic forms of bullying.
· Pay special attention to the needs of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) youth. Young people who do not conform to traditional gender expectations are at increased risk for being bullied and suicide. Schools need to create an environment that promotes tolerance and respect for diversity.
· Use a comprehensive approach. Focus on mental health services for youth suffering from depression and anxiety as well as implement evidence-based interventions that improve the school environment and provide supports to bullies, targeted students, and families to reduce bullying.
· Focus on the role of witnesses. Convey the attitude that students who witness bullying are responsible, if possible, to help stop harassment and intimidation. Teach all students the specific skills necessary to help prevent and respond to bullying.
· Start prevention early. Bullying behaviors can start in preschool. Intervening early can help equip students with the social and emotional skills that will help prevent later bullying behaviors and will help set a foundation for healthy social relationships. In fact, bullying programs appear to be most effective in the younger years. Teaching social skills under the auspices of teaching respectful behavior might be a way of approaching social–emotional instruction (e.g., school-wide positive behavior support).
· Develop anti-bullying policies. While policies do not necessarily change behaviors, they stipulate that bullying in the school environment will not be tolerated and they delineate consequences for bullying others.
· Understand the connection between bullying and mental health problems. Research has consistently shown that bullies, targets, and bully-targets have poor mental health prognoses. Involvement in bullying has been linked to depression, anxiety, increased school drop-out rates, and increased suicide ideation, thus impacting academic achievement.
· Keep up with technology. Bullying often takes place in areas hidden from adult supervision, and young people are using social media and new technologies to bully others. Both bullying prevention programs and suicide prevention programs need to be aware of the realities of electronic forms of bullying.
· Pay special attention to the needs of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) youth. Young people who do not conform to traditional gender expectations are at increased risk for being bullied and suicide. Schools need to create an environment that promotes tolerance and respect for diversity.
· Use a comprehensive approach. Focus on mental health services for youth suffering from depression and anxiety as well as implement evidence-based interventions that improve the school environment and provide supports to bullies, targeted students, and families to reduce bullying.
· Focus on the role of witnesses. Convey the attitude that students who witness bullying are responsible, if possible, to help stop harassment and intimidation. Teach all students the specific skills necessary to help prevent and respond to bullying.
