Association focuses on Bullying for National Children’s
Mental Health Day on May 9
The Ohio Psychological Association (OPA) is taking part in Mental Health
Awareness Month to bring
public awareness to the critical importance of mental health. This Thursday,
the association is joining the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) in recognizing National Children’s Mental Health Day.
According to the
American Psychological Association (APA), systematic international research has
shown school bullying to be a frequent and serious public health problem. Psychologists and other mental health
professionals are using this research to develop bullying prevention programs
that are being implemented in schools around the world.
Current OPA
president, Dr. Jim Broyles launched a task force to examine how psychologists
may become a part of the solution to prevent and respond to bullying.
Dr. Broyles said,
“As a group, psychologists are very aware and concerned about this topic, and
the ongoing issues which continue to spring to light associated with it. Many
of us work with children and families who are affected by bullying. Our clients
can be individuals who are the target of a bully or in some cases may be the
bullies themselves, who have their own unique psychological issues and needs.”
Dr.
Kimberly Burkhart chairs the Bullying Prevention Task Force whose mission it is
to increase awareness about warning signs that bullying may be occurring and to
connect families, as well as school staff with resources.
Children
who bully may exhibit the following characteristics:
·
Getting into physical or verbal fights
·
Acquiring new belongings that are unexplainable
·
Increasing aggressiveness and competitiveness
·
Blaming others for his/her mistakes
Children
who have been victimized may have some of the following characteristics:
·
Unexplainable
injuries
·
Destroyed
property
·
Changes
in eating habits
·
Decline
in academic performance
·
Decreased
self-esteem
·
Avoidance
of social situations
·
Engaging
in self-destructive behavior
·
Frequent
stomachaches or headaches
·
Sleep
problems
Students who
experience bullying may feel depressed or anxious. If your child or student is
having trouble at school, problems with relationships, or displaying signs or
symptoms listed above as a result of bullying, a mental health professional,
such as a psychologist, can help your child develop coping skills to manage
negative emotions and to respond to bullying.
Mental health professionals can also work with children who bully to
help decrease behavioral problems and better manage anger.
Located in
Columbus, OH, The Ohio Psychological Association is a membership organization
of approximately 1,600 Ohio psychologists. Its mission is to advance the
creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit
society and to improve people’s lives in Ohio. For more information, or for a
psychologist referral, visit www.ohpsych.org.
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