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National Bullying Prevention Month

October was first declared as National Bullying Prevention Month in 2006. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families such as 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. Unlike mutual teasing or fighting, bullying occurs when one person or a group of people is perceived as being more powerful than another and takes advantage of that power through repeated physical assaults, threats of harm, intimidation, or by purposefully excluding a person from a valued social group. Being bullied can severely affect the person’s self-image, social interactions, and school performance and can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance use, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

In 2015, about 21 percent of students ages 12–18 reported being bullied at school during the school year. Of students ages 12–18, about 13 percent reported that they were made fun of, called names, or insulted; 12 percent reported being the subject of rumors; 5 percent reported that they were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on; and 5 percent reported being excluded from activities on purpose. Additionally, 4 percent of students reported being threatened with harm, 3 percent reported that others tried to make them do things they did not want to do, and 2 percent reported that their property was destroyed by others on purpose.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, educators and school staff, and policy makers.

NCTSN Resource

Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event

Type: Fact Sheet

Describes how young children, school-age children, and adolescents react to traumatic events and offers suggestions on how parents and caregivers can help and support them.

NCTSN Resource

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators

Type: Special Resource

Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.

NCTSN Resource

Bullying Facts

Type: Special Resource

Offers simple facts on bullying. This infographic outlines the different types of bullying.

NCTSN Resource

Bullying and Trauma Facts

Type: Special Resource

Offers facts about bullying and trauma. This infographic provides facts about the relationship between bullying and trauma, as well as how being bullied can lead to PTSD.

NCTSN Resource

LGBTQ Issues and Child Trauma

Type: Fact Sheet

Offers an introduction to the Safe Places, Safe Spaces video. This fact sheet gives a brief overview for working with LGBTQ youth as well as a synopsis of the video, and suggested resources.