 Learn about bullying preven- tion. Set clear expectations for behavior. Parents play a critical Bullying is defined by the American in school activities. Chronic victims Medical Association (AMA) as a pat- report physical and mental health role in this issue. tern of repeated aggression with de- problems, may develop low self-  Be alert to the warning signs of liberate intent to harm or disturb a esteem or depression, and may con- bullying which include social victim despite apparent victim dis- template suicide more often than withdrawal, poor academic per- tress and a real or perceived imbal- their non-bullied peers. Youth who formance, depression, exces- ance of power (e.g. due to age, exhibit bullying behavior are also sive anger, and lack of interest strength, size, social status). The prone to academic underachieve- in school. AMA recognizes bullying as a com- ment, and anti-social or criminal  plex and abusive behavior with po- behavior such as skipping school, Teach and role model empathy, tentially serious social and mental vandalism, abusing drugs and alco- peaceful conflict resolution, health consequences for children hol, fighting and domestic violence. good communication skills, and adolescents. The prevalence of and problem solving strategies. bullying is staggering and its impli- Bullying is a complex problem and  Take bullying seriously. Don’t cations are widespread, in part be- one that takes the entire school be afraid to admit your child cause it negatively affects not only community to resolve. Teachers, may be exhibiting bullying be- the victim and perpetrator but all staff, administrators, parents and havior or be a victim. Work co- youth involved including the wit- students must work together to ad- operatively with your school. nesses or “bystanders.” dress the issue by:  Discuss your school’s bullying  Clearly defining bullying behav- policy with your child. Bullying presents itself in many ior to ensure that students, staff forms, including verbal and/or and parents don’t dismiss it as physical threats and assaults, teas- harmless horseplay, teasing or ing and name calling, intentional U.S. Department of Health and exclusion from a group, spreading joking around. Human Sevices: rumors, menacing gestures and  Establishing and enforcing clear http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/1 faces, and racial or ethnic slurs. A school policies on bullying that 5plus/aboutbullying.asp relatively new but potentially more define the problem, describe the serious arena is cyber-bullying—the consequences, establish meth- use of electronic information and ods of data collection, outline The Bully, the Bullied, and the By- communication devices, text mes- adult intervention, and require stander, by Barbara Coloroso sages, websites, etc. to willfully har- staff development and preven- (2003) ass or personally attack an individ- tion education. ual or group.  Teaching and role playing strate- gies for bullying prevention and SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) While boys tend to engage in more providing students the means to is the process of acquiring the skills to direct, overt physical or verbal bully- safely and discreetly report bul- recognize and manage emotions, develop ing behaviors, girls often use more lying incidents to school staff. indirect, discrete means such as caring and concern for others, establish  building alliances, manipulating re- Providing parents information on positive relationships, make responsible lationships, intentionally leaving how to prevent bullying behav- decisions, and handle challenging situa- someone out of a group activity or iors in their children, encourage tions effectively. SEL is fundamental to spreading rumors. their children to intervene or teen’s social and emotional development speak up when they witness bul- – their health, ethical development, citi- lying incidents, and support zenship, academic learning, and motiva- Bullying is often dismissed by adults their child when targeted by a tion to succeed. Not only does SEL en- as typical, unavoidable adolescent perpetrator. hance academic outcomes for students, it behavior. But ignoring bullying is also ensures that schools will address a serious because it causes physical, broader mission of educating students to psychological and emotional harm to Funding provided by the Illinois students and interferes with stu- State Board of Education and be good problem-solvers and caring, re- supported by the Children's Mental sponsible, and engaged citizens. dent’s ability to learn and participate Health Partnership.