What can you do if you’re being bullied?
November 15, 2021 | by Lynsey Christian
This year’s Anti-Bullying Week campaign centres around ‘One Kind Word’ and after an incredibly difficult two years with the pandemic and countless periods of isolation, kindness is more important today than it has ever been.
Little acts of consideration and compassion, showing you care, offering your time to someone, can all help break down barriers and brighten the lives of those around us. Kindness is something that is so simple yet so impactful especially to those who may be experiencing bullying.
Bullying is something that sadly happens and is something we often see with the young people we support at Isle Listen. It comes in many forms; physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, non-verbal, and social. It can be subtle and difficult to articulate and identify, but it can also be extremely obvious. Either way, bullying is a behaviour or set of behaviours that hurt someone else. It can happen anywhere, anytime and the impact can be huge.
Bullying can have an effect on mental health from low mood, feeling anxious, low self-esteem, sleep problems and sense of hopelessness to name a few. When our mental health is impacted it can make day to day tasks such as going to school, socialising, looking after ourselves or taking part in clubs and hobbies less enjoyable and more challenging.
Bullying happens but it isn’t right, and we need to stop it!
If you’re being bullied, here are some things you can do to help:
- Speak to someone you trust about what is happening.
- Report bullying to a teacher, parent/carer or another trusted adult.
- Be kind to yourself and do things that make you happy.
- Take time to relax. This can help you feel more able to cope with difficult situations.
- Remember it is not your fault, and no one deserves to be bullied.
If you suspect someone you know is being bullied, simply taking the time to ask if they are okay can give them the opportunity to speak about what is happening. In a world that is filled with a lot of negativity, one kind word can have such a big impact and can be a real turning point for someone, especially if they are struggling.
One kind word can have a ripple effect; kindness fuels kindness. In a world where you can really be anything you want, always be kind because you really don’t know the true impact it can have on someone.
At Isle Listen, we offer a 1-to-1 Listening Service through our Wellbeing Practitioners, who are based in every secondary school on the island. This gives young people the opportunity to speak to someone in a safe, confidential space about any issues they are having which may include bullying.