Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/77528
Rising Above the “B” Word—Bullying Parents may pray it won’t happen to their children, but the truth is bullying can affect anyone, anywhere—regardless of age, gender, race, or social class. Bullying, by definition, is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves an imbalance of real or perceived power between individuals or a group and an individual. A federal initiative known as StopBullying.gov outlines the different types of bullying as follows: • Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Examples include hitting, spitting, tripping, pushing, kicking, pinching, making rude hand gestures, or destroying personal property. • Verbal bullying is saying or writing harassing things. Examples include teasing, name-calling, taunting, inappropriate sexual comments, and threatening to cause harm. • Social bullying—also known as relationship bullying—compromises someone’s reputation or relationship. Examples include telling others not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors, leaving someone out on purpose, and embarrassing someone in public. Is My Child Being Bullied? If you’re waiting for your child to come and ask you for bullying advice, be prepared to wait. And wait…and wait… “Kids typically won’t be forthcoming and tell you they’re being bullied,” says Jeni Gronemus, MS, LPC, Psychotherapist at Sacred Heart’s Behavioral Health Center. “However, there are signs parents can look for to help determine if their child is being bullied.” Red-flag signs of bullying in children may include: • abrupt changes in behavior • augmented fear or anxiety • depression • increased irritability • lack of friends • mysterious bruises, scrapes, or scratches • physical complaints on school days,such as headaches or stomachaches • ruined or missing personal belongings • sleep disturbance • unexplained reluctance to be at school • withdrawal How to Help Bullying is a serious issue and one that doesn’t typically resolve itself; it requires an intervention. “Parents may need to find support from a child or adolescent counselor, youth pastor, etc.,” says Rebecca Schalinske, MS, SAC, EAP Specialist and AODA Counselor at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the L.E. Phillips-Libertas Treatment Center. “Depending on the situation, notifying teachers, coaches, and school counselors may be appropriate. Monitor your child’s technology use, more so with younger children. Continue to communicate with your teen about their technology use based on the teen’s maturity level.” Gronemus advises helping your child develop safety strategies, such as never walking alone and developing alternate routes. Monitor your child’s interactions, whereabouts, and friendships, and empower him or her by helping identify his or her skills and talents, and getting involved in positive activities in and outside of school. Want more advice? Call Sacred Heart’s Behavioral Health Center at 715.717.4272 or the L.E. Phillips-Libertas Treatment Center at 715.723.5585.