1 in 3 Students Report That They Have Been Bullied This Year
(St. Louis, Missouri): A new report found that 1 in 3 school age students report being bullied in school or online this year. Students who are bullied are more likely to experience anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health related symptoms. The impact of bullying may also cause insomnia, lack of appetite, drug and alcohol use, and a decreased interest in school and social activities. In some cases, bullying has been reported as a contributing factor in suicides and retaliatory violence.
Dr. Lena Pearlman, a mental health therapist in Creve Coeur, has the following advice and suggestions for parents of school age children that are dealing with bullying, “It is critical that parents model, encourage and foster open communications with their children. If your child reports bullying behaviors at school, it is important to stay calm, to be supportive, to reassure your child that it is not their fault, and to work with school staff to ensure that the bullying stops. Depending upon the duration and severity of the bullying, parents may also want to seek out a therapist who can help the student to work through the trauma, build their self-esteem, and help provide tools on how to deal with any future situations or challenges.”
For more information, people can reach Dr. Lena Pearlman and Associates by phone at: 314-942-1147, by e-mail at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or online at: www.STLmentalhealth.com.
Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a team of seven mental health therapists in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice works with patients of all ages. They specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health issues. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
