The Time is Now to #StopBullying

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, one out of every four students reports being bullied during the school year. Out of that quarter, though, only 36 percent actually report their ordeal to an adult. While bullying incidents may seem brief or like “kids being kids”, students who are bullied are much more likely to experience mental health issues than their peers. To help combat this serious problem, children’s hospitals and other partner organizations are providing a myriad of resources for parents, teachers and teens.

This month Speak Now for Kids will be highlighting the efforts of children’s hospitals throughout the country to help stop bullying and ensure that kids have a safe place to learn and grow. If you’re not already, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn about programs and techniques available to the public.

In the meantime, here are some links to resources that can help parents navigate the encounters their children may face:

• Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago: Anti-Bullying Tips
• Boston Children’s Hospital: Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention and Advocacy Collaborative Patient Resources
• Children's Health Children's Medical Center Dallas: Bullying at School: Helping Your Child Deal This Fall
• Children’s Hospital of Colorado: Bullying Infographic
• Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles: Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder: How to Help Your Child
• Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC: Children, School, and Violence: What Parents Can Do
• Children’s National Health System: The Clinic for Health Problems Related to Bullying: Resources for Families
• East Tennessee Children's Hospital: Helping Kids Cope with Cliques