Mind Blank

We are a unique community-driven response to national mental health priorities.
Donate
This is an icon used to find out more information on the website.

Bullying In Schools

They say that the school is a child’s second home. But if a child is getting bullied is it really a place to call home if it makes a child feel unsafe? How can they call a place as a home if they feel neglected?

Bullying in schools is still present in modern society. Sadly, it has affected a lot of children and the outcome is quite alarming. According to a National Australian study in 2009 one in four Year 4 to Year 9 students were reported being bullied every few weeks. Bullying affects the emotional and academic journey of a child. There is hope and there is still a lot of strategies we can put in place before it things reach that point.

Effects of Bullying on Children

There are a lot of effects bullying can impose onto young children today. Bullying affects can be excruciating hurtful and it can be frustrating to support a young in need. Here are some common signs that your child may need help:

- Most children have trouble sleeping when they get bullied.
- They may find it hard to cope up with former day to day routines.
- They may feel suicidal.
- They may show signs of self-harm.
- They may experience a loss of appetite.
- They could struggle with the feeling of being worried or afraid.
- A child who is experiencing being bullied could feel powerless or hopeless.

Feedback from the school yard indicates that hurtful teasing is a common experience every day at school. Bullying can become one of the reasons why some young people have commit suicide. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2017) data released information indicating that a total of 24 children under 14 died by suicide in 2017.

Bullying in Australia can be defined as an ongoing misuse of power in relationships. This is done through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behavior. It usually causes physical and/or psychological harm. The first to help control bullying is identifying its different types. There are many ways that bullying may occur. Some of the most common are the following:

- Cyberbullying- One of the most popular is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying might occur over the internet, in instant messaging (IM), social networking sites, and blogs or through online gaming. It can also occur over the phone, by SMS or MMS, or voice and video calls. With just one click and one tap, a message could spread everywhere. Even though social media has provided a lot of benefits in terms of communication. It has also bought negativity in the form of cyberbullying.

- Verbal – The most common type of bullying is verbal. This type of bullying is done by name calling, teasing, putting someone down, and/or threatening to cause someone harm.

- Physical - Poking, hitting, punching, kicking, spitting, tripping or pushing someone, breaking someone’s things, pulling faces or making rude hand signals.

How to Prevent Cyberbullying

Since technology has taken over the modern world, it is actually hard to prevent cyberbullying. It may be prevented, however prevention tactics may require more attention. As a community we must make sure that children are safe from anything or anyone that may hurt them emotionally and physically. Children need to be protected from any types of bullying!

Parents, teachers, and older guardians are often not aware of the digital media and applications that a child may use. If you are a carer to a child we recommend that you take note of the applications your child uses. This is a vital step towards prevention. Here is a link some helpful safety guidance website click here. The esaftey commission website is also full of helpful information and great tips.

There are different strategies to follow in order to prevent bullying in schools. Some include:

  1. Supporting programs to develop student’s communication, social, assertiveness, and coping skills.
  2. It is also important for schools to work on removing the barriers between a teacher and the student.
  3. Increase support from a guidance officer or school counselor.
  4. Limiting unsupervised access to technology.
  5. Promoting positive bystander behavior as an effective strategy to handle bullying cases.
  6. Promoting knowledge of the actions and consequence that will occur if a student is caught bullying.  

What to do if your son or daughter is getting bullied?

-       We recommend that you keep your distance from people who are bullying them.

-       Encourage them to not bully them back. No matter how bad the bully reacts.

-       Support your son or daughter to speak up and tell them that what they are doing is not okay.

-       Talk to teacher that the student trusts.

-       Encourage them to make time to do something good for themselves.

-       Reach out to someone who can help you report the bullying. E.g. school teacher or Police officer.

It is okay for a student to be afraid. Teacher your kids that no matter what they still have the courage to speak up for themselves. They need to know that bullying should be stopped, and if you keep your silence it will not help anyone!

If you want to learn more about how to prevent bullying in your school, Mind Blank programs address the issue first hand. Do not hesitate to reach out and chat to our team about what you can do to help so no to bullying!.  

February 20, 2021
Children

Read more
February 20, 2021
Workplace

Through interactive workshops Mind Blank is able to help promote a positive workplace culture within targeted employers which can lead to greater awareness of and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues within the workplace and our communities.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Anxiety in Children

Anxiety in Children. What are the causes? Click here to find out more through our online blog page.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Dealing with a Changing World COVID 19

We are all dealing with a changing world. This blog will feature some top tips to help easing out of lockdown.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Depression Awareness

Depression in young adults is not something to take lightly. We believe that no one needs to suffer alone.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Body Image & Self Perception

Body Image issues in Young Adults is a subject we all need to talk about.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety what are the facts and how to deal with it?

Read more
February 20, 2021
Suicide Prevention: Creating a Future for our Young People

Suicide Prevention can help create a better future for our young people. Read more out more about suicide prevetion via our online blog series.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Award Winning Programs

In 2017 Mind Blanks efforts were recognised in winning the Mental Health Matters Award for Mental Health Promotion, and in 2019 the team was presented with the Mental Health Services Award for Mental Illness Prevention.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Why Are Early Intervention Programs Important?

Mind Blank early intervention programs are known from winning award recognition in the mental health sector. Our award-winning programs have toured Australia wide. Enquire within.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Program Evaluation

Mind Blank program evaluations encourage seek to understand our effectiveness against our intended goals. Want more info? Get in touch today.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Crisis Numbers

You may be looking for some additional help-seeking service support. Please note that Mind Blank itself does not provide crisis intervention or counselling, there are some help-seeking phone numbers and helplines provided on this page. If you are in need of urgent support or are worried about someone, please contact your local doctor or call emergency services on 000.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Mental Health Support - How To Help?

Want to know what can you do to help support someone who is struggling? Here are our top 6 tips.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association Collaboration

Mind Blank is proud to announce that we have made an alliance with the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Activities To Give Your Mental Health A Boost

This article will feature's ways that you can boost your mental well-being.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Nature and Nurture

Nature and spending time outdoors are great for your mental health. Read on to find out why?

Read more
February 20, 2021
‍Child Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2021

The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference is designed to provide practical, relevant information and strategies for professionals to apply directly to their work supporting the mental health of children and adolescents from 3-19 years of age.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Whistleblower Policy

Click here to find out more about the Mind Blank Ltd Whistle Blower policy.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Fundraising Privacy Collection Statement

Are you thinking of making a donation to Mind Blank? Click here to find out more about Mind Blank Ltd's fundraising and collection policy.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Mental Health Connect

Mind Blank is proud to work alongside the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association to help support The Mental Health Connect 2020 Online Expo. Click here to find out more.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Workplace Mental Health

This article features 10 insights regarding Workplace Mental Health. Find out what signs you can look out for when it comes to COVID 19.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Sustainable Development Goal 3

Mind Blank’s mission is supportive of Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. Find out how we complement making an impact in the community.

Read more
February 20, 2021
How to Prevent Felling Depressed

Have you been feeling a little blue lately? This article will show you 10 things you can do to support your mental health today!

Read more
February 20, 2021
Mind Blank secures Mental Awareness Foundation (MAF) funding to support hundreds of Brisbane Students

Over the coming months Mind Blank will perform theatrical workshops to over 1.000 Brisbane students focusing on early intervention and mental health help-seeking tactics.

Read more
February 20, 2021
How the pandemic has affected cognitive development in kids

A discussion of the different stages and ways to promote cognitive development in children as well as the role of the pandemic.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Youth Mental Health Summit in Canterbury-Bankstown, NSW

Mind Blank were very excited to run their first in-person NSW workshop in two years! Canterbury-Bankstown City Council invited Mind Blank to engage local teens at the Youth Mental Health Summit in Belmore in April.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Cigna Employee Joins Mind Blank for Community Ambassador Fellowship

Kristal Ruiz joins Mind Blank to expand their Workplace Mental Health Awareness Program as a Community Ambassador Fellow.

Read more