Counselors

School counselors play a vital role in stopping bullying behavior. Here are some general tips that may aid your efforts.

Student may come to your office frequently, often under the guise of something other than bullying.
Student may exhibit signs of depression and anxiety.
Students who are bullied will frequently miss school because of it.
Student may avoid lunchroom, recess or other places where bullies may be.
Student may blame themselves for their social standing.
Student may lash out as others.
Students who are being bullied may sit by themselves at lunch.
Notice if a student is no longer spending time with other students once considered friends.

Student is referred to counselor’s office frequently for conflict-related issues.
Student lashes out at other students.
Student has difficulties getting along with school staff.
Other students report that the student is spreading rumors.
Student may report problems at home.
Remember that relational/social bullying is harder to spot than physical and verbal bullying.

Encourage your school to create a school-wide conflict resolution program.
Take a proactive role in creating a positive school climate.
Educate administrators, teachers and support staff about how to spot the signs of potential bullying.

If you see it, stop it immediately. Ask the students involved if they wanted to come talk to you. If not, hold a very brief conversation with them about their behavior.
Identify your office as a safe zone where students who are bullied can go
Hold small-group or individual sessions with kids who bully and/or are targets of bullying. For students who bully, these sessions can teach empathy, social and problem-solving skills. For students who are being bullied, these sessions may include training in how to respond to bullying, and work on emotional and self-esteem issues that may be exacerbated by bullying.

Stop Bullying Now is run by Stan Davis, a researcher on bullying and founding member of the International Bullying Prevention Association.
StopBullying.gov bullying prevention resources: The government’s official website on bullying provides resources for educators, students and parents regarding ways to prevent or reduce bullying.
An article by the National Association for School Psychologists focuses on bullying and intervention for school psychologists and counselors.
The Buzz on Bullying by the American School Counselor Association provides facts and information on bullying.
Cyberbullying: What Counselors Need to Know is published by the American Counseling Association and written by Sheri Bauman, an internationally recognized researcher on cyberbullying, and a member of the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding’s Anti-Bullying Task Force.
KidsHealth provides information for students about what school counselors can do to help them alleviate problems with bullying. Provides a good resource for how counselors can advocate for students.

Community-Wide Crisis Line (24/7)
(520) 622-6000

The National Hopeline
800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)

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