Thousands of Arizona kids will get bullied this month, and only 20-30 percent of those kids will report what happened to an adult. At the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), we are working to help kids stop bullying and share concerns with teachers and parents.
This week, our Must Stop Bullying campaign is releasing new videos that will play in Arizona movie theaters and online. We’ve also revamped our website with more advice and resources for kids. This campaign launch coincides with National Bullying Prevention Month.
The videos and website teach children how to respect everyone, stand up for themselves, prevent cyberbullying, stand up for others, and get involved in their community. A parents’ website explains how to recognize bullying, how to take action, and how to discuss bullying with their children.
Children who are bullied have more depression and anxiety, increased health complaints, and lower academic achievement. Arizona’s Teen Lifeline (1-800-248-TEEN) provides peer-to-peer counseling for kids in crisis. On stopbullying.gov, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also suggests resources for those unable to resolve a bullying situation on their own.
With your help, we can increase the conversation about bullying in homes and schools, detect the abuse, and stop it in its tracks. Nobody deserves to be bullied. Everyone can help protect kids.
