Bullying is very wrong. It can make you feel that there is no hope in a situation. Being bullied can be upsetting and stressful, and it can affect your life in many different ways, including your self-esteem, relationships, work and education. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is important that you seek help. There is no shame in asking for help.
There are many things you can do if you’re being bullied. Here are some ideas:
When possible, ignore the bully. Bullies are looking for a reaction from you
- Walk away when the bully approaches you. Try and imagine that you’re walking away from a friend. This can make sure that it seems as if you are not scared
- Concentrate on something else. Try thinking about what you’ll do next weekend, counting to 100, or planning your homework;
- Have a saying or a statement that you can repeat in your head when the bully approaches you to block them out
- Bullies can be pretty scary. Picturing that person looking silly might help to make them less of a problem.
Stay positive
- It can be hard to remember all your good points when someone is being negative. Try to remember what a valuable person you are.
- Hang around other people. You might be safer if you stay in groups.
Be confident – Bullies usually pick on people that they think are weaker than they are
- Telling him or her to leave you alone may get a bully off your back;
- Being nice to a bully may throw him or her off;
- Using humor can also throw a bully off track;
- Remember that your friends accept you for who you are.
- Keep out of a bully’s way.
Probably the most important thing is ask someone for help
There are many people who might be able to help, including friends, your carers, family, teachers, or social workers. It might be easier if you talk to someone you know well and trust. This person can give you much needed support and might have ideas for dealing with the situation that you might not have thought of.
If you would like to get more involved in helping anti-bullying campaigns go to http://www.bullying.co.uk/ and design an anti-bullying poster, or enter the ‘write it out’ competition.