October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Bullying affects everyone: those exhibiting bullying behaviors, the bullied, and the bystanders. For over 20 years, Rachel’s Challenge has been called the premier anti-bullying program in the USA. While it’s true that our comprehensive, school-wide anti-bullying programs and resources are highly effective at creating the cultural change that leads to less bullying behaviors (as well as fewer incidents of school violence and youth suicide), we see ourselves as “pro” a solution, rather than “anti” a problem. We’re “for” things, not “against” things. We’re for kindness, compassion, respect, reaching out, and helping others. That’s partially why we call our award-winning training for school violence and bullying prevention the “FOR Club” program. By targeting the underlying causes of bullying in a school setting, our school programs not only correct bullying issues, but they prevent them before they start. Check out how Gering Junior High School’s FOR Club addresses these issues in a positive way here.
What is a school anti-bullying program or bullying prevention program?
Anti-bullying programs and curriculum prevent bullying and cyber-bullying through training and prevention techniques administered to the entire school system including teachers and students. Rachel’s Challenge programs achieve this through teaching empathy, kindness and compassion, instilling and teaching “hope” as a skill, and encouraging deep connections among students and educators.
Anti-bullying resources:
In addition to our Rachel’s Challenge programs and curriculum, there are many excellent anti-bullying resources.
Below are some resources we like from Stopbullying.gov, the CDC, and PACER.org:
- October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
- This article contains an overview of bullying prevention, resources for creating safe, supportive learning environments, teaching bullying prevention at home, and how bystanders can prevent bullying.
- Cyberbullying:
- Cyberbullying Prevention Tips for Teachers
- How to Prevent Cyberbullying
- A guide for parents, caregivers and youth.
- CDC Guide on Bullying Prevention
- Stats and figures on the commonality of bullying, who is at risk for being a victim of bullying, the consequences of bullying, and bullying prevention tips.
- Bullying Prevention Fact Sheet
- Cyber-Bullying Tips for Teachers
- Warning signs of cyberbullying and techniques for addressing cyberbullying.
- CDC: The Relationship Between Bullying and Suicide
- An overview of the research on bullying and suicide, tips for educators to address both suicide and bullying, and links to more information about youth suicide and bulllying.
- PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
- Founded in 2006, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center actively leads social change to prevent childhood bullying, so that all youth are safe and supported in their schools, communities and online. PACER provides innovative resources for students, parents, educators, and others, and recognizes bullying as a serious community issue that impacts education, physical and emotional health, and the safety and well-being of students.