TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS: WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED
Author：Trudy Cowan
This post was originally published by the Derby University Blog on 9 February 2017.
We have re-issued the article that has already been published by the Derby University Blog. We would like to express gratitude for the kind offer of the editorial board of the Derby University Blog.
To mark Children's Mental Health Week, school nursing expert Trudy Cowan discusses the impact bullying has on young people and how it can be tackled.
It's simple... with good mental health, children and young people do better in every way.
They are happier in their families, find it easier to learn, do better at school, fulfil their potential and enjoy friendships and new experiences. Good mental health is as important as good physical health and needs to be everyone's business.
To have good mental health, children need love, security and understanding from those who look after them. However, it's not easy for children and young people to grow up in today's complex world. They face pressures from family, friends, school, technology and changing values.
Poor mental health can be triggered by many circumstances: separation, bereavement, disability, illness and bullying. The effects of bullying are often underestimated. They can leave children and young people feeling frightened and isolated with no voice.
Facts
It is estimated that more than 850,000 children and young people in the UK have been diagnosed with a mental health condition
Three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health problem
One in five children will experience a mental health difficulty at least once during their first 11 year
Around one in 12 children and young people deliberately self-harm
One third of children are bullied at least once, leading to problems with self-esteem and anxiety.
Bullying is when one person intimidates, upsets or excludes another with the intention of being hurtful.
Bullying can take many forms
It can include name calling, saying untrue things about the person
It can be physical, hitting, kicking and can include serious physical violence
Some bullies use their mobile phones to hurt others, by sending texts, filming or taking photos of the person they are bullying
Cyber-bullying is on the internet, using email, instant messaging or social networking sites to intimidate, expose or spread rumours about others
Children who are bullied often feel they deserve it. They feel isolated and anxious, which can lead to depression, poor self-esteem, self-harm and eating problems.
Once experiencing this, children and young people often feel stigmatised.
Top tips for parents on what to do if your child is being bullied
1. Listen to your child
It's very important that you listen to your child and support them without offering opinions or judgement.
You may experience your own feelings of fear, anger and sympathy. Harness these and be led by how your child (dependent upon age and severity of the bullying) wants this to be dealt with.
2. Tell the teacher
If your child is being bullied at school, their teacher needs to be informed. All schools have to have a policy on bullying behaviour and many offer forms of support such as counsellors, mentors and listeners.
3. Ask your child's school to take steps to address the bullies' behaviour and protect your child
Schools have a responsibility to make it clear that everyone should be respected and children and young people have a right not to be bullied. Schools should have an ethos for children that it is not wrong to "tell".
4. Seek external help
Use the internet, visit a library, speak to other parents and contact bullying charities, such as Bullying UK, to gain as much advice and help as possible.
Cyber-bullying
Outside of school, cyber-bullying is on the increase and most young people will experience it or see it at some time. In a recent national bullying survey, 56% of young people said they have seen others be bullied online and 42% have felt unsafe online. Cyber bullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it can go viral very fast.
Children's mental health is so important and we should be doing everything we can for our children and young people to ensure they thrive in every way.
This week is Children's Mental Health Week 2017 (February 6-12). Charity Place2Be is supporting the week with the focus of "spreading a little kindness".
Therefore, with this in mind, whether you are a parent, carer, teacher, or anybody who comes into contact with children and young people, the next time they come to you, please:
Show you care! A kind word, a smile can sometimes make all the difference
Listen to them and truly hear their voices
Try to understand them without passing judgement
Give them a break, it's tough growing up!
Accept and embrace that all children are different and brilliant in their own unique ways, are worthy and should be loved for who they are
For further information contact the Corporate Communications team at pressoffice@derby.ac.uk or call 01332 593953.
About the author
Trudy Cowan Branch Leader - Specialist Community Public Health Nursing- School Nursing
Trudy has been part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing team since December 2008. As Branch Leader for School Nursing, she supports students academically and while out in practice. As a paediatric nurse, her skills are also utilised within the ADNS, ECP and MSc programmes, with a focus on ensuring children issues are being addressed throughout all Nursing programmes.
EmailT.Cowan@derby.ac.uk