The Doctor Is In: Kids & Bullying

Content is sponsored and provided by Beaumont Health

Experts: 
Marlene Seltzer, M.D., Medical Director of Beaumont Children's No Bullying, Live Empowered (NoBLE) program

Jennifer Gilman , Blogger & bullied as a child 

In the next seven minutes, a child in the United States will be bullied. it could be the child of someone you know or maybe even one of your own.  It takes many forms and can leaving last scars.  

Take a look at the numbers:

More than 20% of youth between 12 - 18 report being bullied at school
Among high school students, 15.5% are cyberbullied and 20.2% are bullied on school property
Among middle school students, 24% are cyberbullied and 45% are bullied on school property
23% of elementary school students in grades 4 - 6 described being bullied "several times or more" over a given year
57% of children who were bullied did not report it
Bullying is associated with suicide-related behavior for both youth who are bullied and youth who bully others

 
Signs your child is being bullied  

Behavior or mood change  
Unexplained injuries or missing possessions 
School or social situation avoidance 
Frequent headaches, stomachaches or feeling ill 

Kids who are bullied or bully others are at risk for 

Depression 
Anxiety 
Substance abuse 
Suicide 

Warning Signs of Cyberbullying 

Sudden increase or decrease in electronic device use 
Hides device/screen from others 
Mood negatively impacted after use 

Cyberbullying 

Don't respond or retaliate 
Block sender 
Save the evidence 
Report (cyberbullying.org/report) 
Notify school, law enforcement as indicated  

MICHIGAN LEGISLATION
An anti-bullying bill was passed in December 2011 requiring schools to adopt anti-bullying policies. Michigan's legislation policy prohibiting bullying is also known as Matt's Safe School Law.

Hotlines 
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
800-273-8255 

Crisis Text Line 
Text GO to 741741 

Bullying hotline  
855-UR-NOBLE (855-876-6253) 
Managed by Common Ground 

MI Confidential Tip line OK2SAY 
Call 8-555-OK2SAY 
Text OK2SAY 
mail OK2SAY@mi.gov 

Stopbullying.gov 
Cyberbullying.org 
Pacer.org/bullying 
TheBullyProject.com