What is Bullying?
- Bullying:
- Aggressive, unkind, or mean behaviors
- Repeated behaviors (must happen multiple times, ongoing)
- Intentional (done on purpose)
- Involves a power imbalance (e.g., older/bigger people picking on younger/smaller people, or ‘popular’ people targeting ‘unpopular’ individuals)
- Not Bullying:
- Being rude (unplanned or unintentional hurtful actions)
- Being mean (hurtful actions done on purpose once or twice)
- Conflict (disagreements with friends)
- Respectful feedback on behaviors
- Setting personal boundaries
- Natural social consequences (e.g., loss of trust due to sharing secrets)
Types of Bullying
- Direct or Indirect:
- Direct: Happening face-to-face
- Indirect: Happening behind the back
- Overt or Covert:
- Overt: Obvious and observable
- Covert: Subtle and hard to prove
- Forms of Bullying:
- Cyberbullying: Mean texts, emails, posts, images, or videos
- Verbal Bullying: Teasing, name-calling, yelling
- Physical Bullying: Hitting, tripping, kicking, damaging possessions
- Social Bullying: Hurting reputation through rumors, mean jokes, exclusion
I’m Being Bullied – What Should I Do?
- Stay Calm: Avoid reacting emotionally; bullies often want to provoke an emotional response
- Report It: Inform trustworthy adults (teachers, parents, counselors) and keep reporting until it stops
- Get Support: Seek help from family, friends, teachers, and professionals to protect mental health and self-worth
How Should I Respond to Bullying?
- Plan Responses: Think about how to respond next time bullying happens
- Examples of Responses:
- Call it out: “Oh wow, that was actually really mean!”
- Pretend to agree: “You’re right, I am a loser. Thanks for being so open and honest with me.”
- Act unbothered: “Nice insult. A bit unoriginal though – I give it 3 stars out of 5. Better luck next time.”
- Use humor: “Haha, good one. I would insult you back, but I am not sure that you would get it.”
- Feign confusion: “I don’t get it. Explain it to me?”
- Ask for intervention: “Jordan, back me up here!”
My Friend’s Being Bullied – What Should I Do?
- Be an Upstander:
- Show disapproval: Frown, shake your head
- Interrupt the bullying: Engage the person being bullied in conversation
- Give an excuse to leave: “The teacher is looking for you” or “Hey, can you come help me with something for a minute?”
- Offer support privately: “I saw what was happening at lunchtime. It is not okay for them to act that way! Are you ok? How can I help?”
- Report together: Inform adults together to provide support
- Stand Up to Bullying:
- Respectfully challenge: “We don’t do that here.”
General Advice for Both School and Workplace Bullying
- Identify the Signs:
- Physical symptoms: Unexplained injuries, frequent headaches, stomach aches.
- Psychological symptoms: Anxiety, depression, sudden changes in behavior, sleep disturbances.
- Social symptoms: Withdrawal from social activities, decline in performance.
- Provide Emotional Support:
- Listen empathetically and validate their feelings.
- Encourage them to speak up about their experiences.
- Promote Safe Environments:
- Advise on creating safe spaces to discuss bullying without fear of retaliation.
- Encourage participation in support groups or counseling.
Specific Advice for School Bullying
- Speak to the School:
- Advise the patient or their guardians to report the bullying to school authorities.
- Suggest meeting with teachers, school counselors, or principals to develop a plan to address the bullying.
- Encourage Documentation:
- Keep a detailed record of bullying incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions of what happened.
- Promote Positive Coping Strategies:
- Engage in hobbies and activities that boost self-esteem.
- Foster friendships and peer support networks.
- Utilize School Resources:
- Make use of school counseling services.
- Participate in anti-bullying programs or workshops if available.
Specific Advice for Workplace Bullying
- Report to Management:
- Encourage the patient to report bullying to their supervisor or HR department.
- If unresolved, suggest formal complaints through workplace grievance procedures.
- Document Incidents:
- Advise keeping a log of bullying incidents, including dates, times, and witnesses.
- Seek External Support:
- Refer to employee assistance programs (EAP) for counseling and support.
- Consider contacting Fair Work Australia for advice on workplace rights and dispute resolution.
- Legal Advice:
- Suggest consulting with a legal professional if bullying persists and impacts their health and safety.
Health and Wellbeing
- Mental Health Support:
- Provide information on local mental health services, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.
- Consider referring to a mental health plan under the Better Access initiative.
- Physical Health Monitoring:
- Regularly monitor physical health for any stress-related conditions.
- Advise on stress-reducing activities like exercise, meditation, or yoga.
- Encourage Open Communication:
- Maintain an open line of communication for ongoing support.
- Schedule follow-up appointments to monitor progress and provide additional resources.
Legal and Community Resources
- Bullying Helplines:
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (for school-related bullying)
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (for immediate crisis support)
- Government Resources:
- Safe Work Australia: Information on workplace bullying and rights.
- Australian Human Rights Commission: For advice on discrimination and harassment.
- Online Resources:
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