In 2006, October was declared National Bullying Prevention Month to raise awareness and acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families. Adverse effects of bullying include school avoidance, loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression. Bullying can occur in multiple ways. It can be verbal, physical, through social exclusion, or via digital sources like email, texts, or social media. Being bullied can severely affect a person’s self-image, social interactions, and school performance and can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Here are three ways you can show your support for National Bullying Prevention Month:
- Take the pledge to help end bullying
- Wear orange on October 18th for Unity Day, and share messages about kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
- Sign up for the National Bullying Prevention Center’s newsletter to keep up on their consistent efforts to prevent and end bullying.
Watch this video to learn more about National Bullying Prevention Month and how you can support it.
Continue to show kindness, acceptance, and inclusion for this month and every day. The world needs it.
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