Bullying is a pervasive public health concern among youth in the United States. In 2015, approximately 1 in 5 students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the school year, translating to millions of youth being impacted across the country.

Because bullying is a form of aggressive behavior, it can be traumatizing and negatively affect children’s development, social functioning, educational performance, and mental and physical health. Kids who bully others often get into trouble – including physical fights – at school.  Kids who get bullied may themselves begin to bully others.

How Common Is Bullying

●    About 20% of students ages 12-18 experienced bullying nationwide.

●    Students ages 12–18 who reported being bullied said they thought those who bullied them:

○    Had the ability to influence other students’ perception of them (56%).

○    Had more social influence (50%).

○    Were physically stronger or larger (40%)

○    Had more money (31%)

Bullying in Schools

Nationwide, 19% of students in grades 9–12 report being bullied on school property in the 12 months prior to the survey.

●    The following percentages of students ages 12-18 had experienced bullying in various places at school:

○    Hallway or stairwell (43.4%)

○    Classroom (42.1%)

○    Cafeteria (26.8%)

○    Outside on school grounds (21.9%)

○    Online or text (15.3%)

○    Bathroom or locker room (12.1%)

○    Somewhere else in the school building (2.1%)

●    Approximately 46% of students ages 12-18 who were bullied during the school year notified an adult at school about the bullying.

Cyberbullying

●    Among students ages 12-18 who reported being bullied at school during the school year, 15 % were bullied online or by text.

Types of Bullying

●    Students ages 12-18 experienced various types of bullying, including:

○    Being the subject of rumors or lies (13.4%)

○    Being made fun of, called names, or insulted (13.0%)

○    Pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on (5.3%)

○    Leaving out/exclusion (5.2%)

○    Threatened with harm (3.9%)

○    Others tried to make them do things they did not want to do (1.9%)

○    Property was destroyed on purpose (1.4%)

OUTCOMES OF BULLYING

Kids Who are Bullied

Kids who are bullied can experience negative physical, social, emotional, academic, and mental health issues. Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience:

●    Depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.

●    Health complaints—aches and pains, headaches, stomach aches, anxiety and fear

●    Decreased academic achievement—GPA and standardized test scores—and school participation. They are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.

A very small number of bullied children might retaliate through extremely violent measures. In 12 of 15 school shooting cases in the 1990s, the shooters had a history of being bullied.

Kids Who Bully Others

Kids who bully others can also engage in violent and other risky behaviors into adulthood. Kids who bully are more likely to:

●    Abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults

●    Get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school

●    Engage in early sexual activity

●    Have criminal convictions and traffic citations as adults

●    Be abusive toward their romantic partners, spouses, or children as adults

Bystanders

Kids who witness bullying are more likely to:

●    Have increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs

●    Have increased mental health problems, including depression and anxiety

●    Miss or skip school

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Parents and healthcare providers can help prevent “back to school means back to bullying” for children and teens.

Healthcare providers can be important allies in determining if a child is being bullied or why bullying behavior may have surfaced. Adding the question as part of a routine examination is an appropriate strategy to use. Healthcare providers – including pediatricians, nurses, and physician assistants – can also alert parents to signs that bullying may be continuing, that their child might be depressed, and if it is affecting health or other aspects of life. They can offer supportive referrals to address health and mental health concerns.

Parents are often the first to notice some of the subtle shifts that take place with children or adolescents who are affected by bullying. Their child may talk less. They may isolate themselves from friends. They may have trouble sleeping or struggle academically. They may not want to go to school, to avoid further torment by the child who is doing the bullying. Noticing behavior changes can open avenues for conversation – an important first step to intervene.

Steps parents can take include:

• Ask your child what he or she thinks should be done. What’s already been tried? What worked and what didn’t?
• Seek help from your child’s teacher or the school guidance counselor. Most bullying occurs on playgrounds, in lunchrooms, and bathrooms, on school buses or in unsupervised halls. Ask the school administrators to find out about programs other schools and communities have used to help combat bullying, such as peer mediation, conflict resolution, and anger management training, and increased adult supervision.
• Don’t encourage your child to fight back. Instead, suggest that he or she try walking away to avoid the bully, or that they seek help from a teacher, coach, or other adult.
• Help your child practice what to say to the bully so he or she will be prepared the next time.
• Help your child practice being assertive. The simple act of insisting that the bully leave him alone may have a surprising effect. Explain to your child that the bully’s true goal is to get a response.
• Encourage your child to be with friends when traveling back and forth from school, during shopping trips, or on other outings. Bullies are less likely to pick on a child in a group.

Resources:

American Academy of Adolescent and Child Psychiatry Bullying Resource Center https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Bullying_Resource_Center/Home.aspx

https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now

https://www.schoolsafety.gov/bullying-and-cyberbullying

https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/sites-for-kids-and-teens.asp

CA Department of Education https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyres.asp

https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/complaint.asp

San Diego County Schools-How to Report Bullying

Alpine Union School District

Bonsall Unified School District

Borrego Springs Unified School District

Coronado Unified School District

Del Mar Union

Encinitas Union School District

Escondido Union School District

Grossmont Union High School-contact school counselor directly

Julian Union School District

Lakeside Union School District

La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools

Mountain Empire Unified Schools

Oceanside Unified School District

Poway Unified School District

Ramona Unified School District

Rancho Sante Fe

San Diego County Office of Education

San Diego Unified School District

San Dieguito Union School District

San Marcos Unified School District

San Pasqual Union School District

Santee School District

San Ysidro School District

Solana Beach School District

South Bay Union School District

Sweetwater Union High School District

Valley Center Unified School District

Vista Unified School District

There are numerous studies that highlight the key factors that can negatively impact health outcomes:

1. housing instability and quality
2. food insecurity
3. utility needs
4. interpersonal violence and
5. transportation needs.

While we are aware these issues impact overall health, we often have little time or knowledge to delve into problem solving these significant and complex challenges facing many of our patients.

2-1-1 San Diego is a resource that can take the time to understand each individual’s situation and link those in need with those who can best help.

What is 2-1-1 San Diego?

2-1-1 is a local private, non-profit organization that serves San Diego and Imperial Counties whose mission is to serve as a nexus to bring the community (organizations) together to help people efficiently get appropriate services, and provide vital data and trend information for proactive community planning.  A free, 24 hour, confidential phone service and searchable online database, 2-1-1 connects people quickly, confidentially and effectively to community, health, and disaster services. Available in over 200 languages, 2-1-1 provides information about more than 6,000 resources.

2-1-1 San Diego’s has a number of locally unique programs offering connections to health and wellness services, benefit program enrollment assistance, food assistance, housing and utilities resources, military and veteran services, and serving as a reputable, up-to-date, non-emergency information source during disasters.  Well over 400,000 connections are made each year through the 2-1-1 system.

Every hour of every day, people in San Diego County are searching for services and resources to build, improve and sustain healthy lifestyles, from substance abuse treatment to care for a child or aging parent, food, housing or financial assistance.  When clients call, they are connected to a live, Client Service Representatives (CSR) who will navigate them through their situations by assessing their needs and then matching them to the best and closest resources for them.

With so many health and human resource programs available in San Diego County, the task can seem insurmountable and confusing for all of us.  This is where 2-1-1 can help.

2-1-1’s Health Navigation offers comprehensive needs assessments, health education, case planning, advocacy, connection to resources, and ongoing care coordination.  Often serving as an advocate for callers, their Health Navigators identify supportive resources that can help with getting access to care, specialty needs like breast health resources, bill assistance, prescription access, and much more.

Breaking down barriers to access basic resources ultimately improves the mental, physical and social health of each patient and our community as a whole.  When faced with patient needs beyond our immediate scope of expertise and/or ability to search, we have a reliable and comprehensive resource for our patients in 2-1-1 San Diego.

For more information    http://www.211sandiego.org