Bullying is a form of aggression where another person causes physical or emotional harm to another with the specific intent of inflicting harm. It can be very scary to stand up against bullying, but doing so can stop harmful behavior before it causes significant harm to yourself or others. A Washington teen mental health treatment program can give your teen the skills and confidence they need to stay safe against bullying.
At Imagine Seattle, we help teen boys and girls ages 12-17 who are experiencing bullying at school or home through our outpatient treatment programs. Our certified behavioral therapists work one-on-one with your teen to understand their needs and create a tailored treatment plan that gives them the skills and confidence to stand up for themselves. For more information about our Washington teen mental health treatment program, call 888.346.0473 or fill out our online form today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Recognizing the Signs of Bullying
Recognizing the signs of bullying can be hard for parents. They may see it as just normal teasing among teens and not understand how harmful it can be, especially if the child does not tell anyone.
If you are worried your teen is dealing with a bully at school, here are some signs of bullying to look for:
- Coming home with ripped clothes or missing items
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Trouble sleeping or having nightmares
- Declining grades
- Fantasizing or talking about suicide and death
At Imagine Seattle, we can help your teen stand up against bullying without resorting to violence or becoming a bully themselves. Our behavioral therapists will build your child’s self-esteem and give them coping skills that will benefit them today and in the future.
5 Ways to Stand Up Against Bullying
Standing up against bullies does not come naturally for most people. It takes confidence and a clear mind to stand up to a bully without sinking to their level. Teens can develop these skills and more to keep them safe from bullying.
Here are five ways to stand up against bullying:
- Ignoring your bully–if someone says something hurtful to you, the best thing to do is not react. That is what they want you to do, and if they see they hurt you, it will only push them to continue. Walking past them with your head held high is the best way to stop a bully.
- Stand up for yourself–if a bully is persistent and physically stopping you from ignoring them, stand up to them and loudly tell them to leave you alone. This may be enough to discourage some and get the attention of a teacher or friends to help.
- Distract with humor–laughter will throw off your bully sometimes as they expect you to cower in fear. If you can laugh and make a joke about it, it shows you are confident about who you are and will discourage them from bullying you further.
- Stay close to friends–your friends can help keep you safe against bullying as they prefer teens who are alone. Tell your friends or siblings in the same school if someone is bullying you. Having them by your side can give you the courage to stand up to them.
- Report the abuse–if someone is bullying you and won’t stop, don’t be afraid to tell a teacher, parent, or another adult at school. Not telling anyone will only encourage the bully to continue.
Imagine Seattle Gives Your Teen Healthy Coping Skills for Standing Up Against Bullies
At Imagine Seattle, we are here to support teen boys and girls who are experiencing depression or anxiety due to bullying. Your teen will participate in group and individual therapy to develop coping skills and gain confidence in their ability to stand up for themselves. Call 888.346.0473 today to speak with our compassionate staff about giving your child the skills they need to lead a full and happy life.