No-Name Calling Week has been observed nationally and Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS) Nashville has taken this opportunity to launch our blog. We have concentrated first on bullyingin an effort to start a dialogue about this challenge and many other issues facing our kids as they navigate through the complicated waters of youth.
Tragically, the news this week from South Hadley, MA indicates a fifteen-year old girl committed suicide due to cyber-bullying, or as several officials have indicated, cyber-mobbing with multiple teens engaging in bullying. The Boston media reported even after her death, bullies posted disparaging messages on her Facebook memorial page which had to be removed.
This problem is here to stay and we encourage you to read back over the week’s blogs to help you better educate yourself on this prevalent problem.
Whether it’s adults in the workplace or students in school the reason that it takes everyone to stop bullying is because bullies require secrecy, shame and silent witnesses in order to be effective, according to the authors Gary and Ruth Namie, “In The Bully at Work.” Part of the bully’s effectiveness in disrupting the lives of other people is their ability to create chaos.
The advice the Namies provides for targeted workers in the workplace can be applied to teens as well. They recommend taking a stand and getting the help you need to confront the bully. You need more people on your side. They also recommend telling others that you trust what is happening. Because it is not OK!
And, remember to constantly do reality checks with others. They add that it is important to stand up and provide support to others who are being annoyed by the bullies’ behavior. These are just a few of the suggestions offered to those who are being bullied in the workplace. Many of these same steps are almost identical to what best practices in bullying prevention and intervention would suggest for schools.
STARS can help schools and community organizations deal with the chaos that bullying leaves in its midst. We can help provide training and resources and can offer help for students who face the terror that bullying causes. If we can help you, please contact us at 615-279-0058.
