Bullying has become a prevalent reality in today’s society, impacting the lives of many, especially children and teenagers. Witnessing someone we care about being bullied can leave us feeling helpless and lost as to how we can help. However, every small act of kindness and support can make a difference to those who are being bullied. In this blog, we explore practical ways to help someone facing bullying, ensuring they feel understood, supported, and encouraged.
Listen and Validate Their Feelings
One of the most powerful ways to help someone who is being bullied is to provide an empathetic ear. Listen attentively to their experiences, making them feel heard and understood without judging or dismissing their feelings. Validating their emotions plays a role in building trust and showing that their experiences matter.
Encourage Them to Talk About It
Empower the person by encouraging communication about their experiences. Create a safe environment where they feel comfortable sharing what they’re going through. Let them know that talking about their experience is an important step towards finding a solution. If they keep their experiences to themselves, they can’t get the help they need.
Maintain Confidentiality and Respect
Respect their privacy by keeping their shared experiences confidential unless their safety is at risk. Assure them that you will maintain their trust and not disclose any sensitive information without their consent.Â
Educate Yourself about Bullying
To provide truly effective support, you should strive to educate yourself about bullying, in general. Learn about the different types of bullying, its specific impacts on mental health, the signs to look for, and the appropriate intervention strategies. Arming yourself with knowledge will help you understand the situation better and provide helpful guidance and advice.
Promote Empowerment and Self-Confidence
Try to boost the victim’s self-esteem by focusing on their strengths and positive qualities. Help them to focus on their positive attributes, achievements, and talents. Helping them build resilience and self-confidence makes it easier for them to resist and overcome the bully’s negative influence. In many cases, bullying wears down a person’s self-esteem and makes them feel unworthy. You can counteract this by spending time building them up.
Encourage Them to Talk to Trusted Adults
Suggest to the person that they confide in a trusted adult, aside from yourself, like a teacher or counselor. These people will be able to provide professional guidance and support, ensuring the right steps are taken to address the bullying effectively. They can also speak to the bully’s parents and create an action plan to hopefully eradicate the issue.
Suggest Documentation of Incidents
Keeping a record of each bullying incident, including dates, times, locations, and descriptions of each occurrence can be helpful for getting appropriate help. This documentation is valuable should they need to involve authorities, school administrators, or legal entities in resolving the situation.
Emphasize Safe Online Practices
Bullying has expanded into the digital space, making it more important than ever to educate kids on safe online practices. Show them how to use privacy settings, report abusive behavior, and block or unfollow individuals who are bullying or harassing them.
Be a Source of Consistent Support
Consistency is key when supporting someone who is being bullied. Let them know you are there for them, reassuring them of your support during difficult times. Remind them that they are not alone and that you will continue to stand by their side regardless of the challenges they face.
Final Thoughts
While it may seem intimidating to help someone who is being bullied, every small act of support can contribute to their resilience. Those who are enduring bullying are likely feeling unworthy or unloved, which can have a detrimental impact on their mental state. By building them up, supporting them, and offering your help, you can counteract this harmful behavior.Â
New Dimensions Can Help!
If you know a teen who needs help to deal with bullying, New Dimensions can help. We have outpatient counseling programs for adolescents and adults who are struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. To learn more about our services, including psychological testing, Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and Interventions for substance abuse, contact us at 800-685-9796 or visit our website at www.nddtreatment.com. To learn more about individual, family, and couples counseling visit www.mhthrive.com.
Keywords: Bullied; Bullying; Culture of Kindness; Support; Harassment
References
- Salmivalli C, Laninga-Wijnen L, Malamut ST, Garandeau CF. Bullying Prevention in Adolescence: Solutions and New Challenges from the Past Decade. J Res Adolesc. 2021 Dec;31(4):1023-1046. doi: 10.1111/jora.12688. PMID: 34820956; PMCID: PMC9271952.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359178915000816
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0143034313479691