National data illustrates that bullying is widespread across the U.S., and Vermont schools are no exception. Recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey results paint a concerning picture of bullying in our schools: the issue is common, and some youth are experiencing bullying significantly more than others.
Source: 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Bullying has impacts on students’ mental and emotional well-being, academic performance, and school engagement. Both youth who are bullied and who bully others are at increased risk of mental health challenges and substance misuse.
Bullying is preventable. Prevention looks like:
- Connecting youth to caring adults, in addition to parents or caregivers
- Supporting positive parenting practices and family engagement
- Training adults who work with youth to identify, stop, and prevent bullying
- Strengthening youth’s skills, particularly social-emotional learning
- Building a positive school climate with clear anti-harassment and restorative justice policies
- Listening to students’ experiences and concerns
- Creating opportunities for involvement in positive youth development activities
- Strengthening connectedness in the community
Chances are, you are already involved in some of these actions! Together, we can work to promote safe, nurturing environments where young people can thrive.
Resources:
📰 Read: Is Your Kid Being Bullied? Find resources to identify signs of bullying in your child and how parents can help.
📆 Attend: Preventing Bullying and Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth: A Facebook Live event with the CDC and The Trevor Project on supporting LGBTQ+ youth experiencing bullying.
📣 Participate: Narratives for Change: A Storytelling Campaign against Harassment, Hazing & Bullying: A coalition of organizations in Vermont is launching a storytelling project that aims to shed light on experiences with harassment, hazing, and bullying in schools, and to advocate for positive change statewide.