Content by SpringfieldMoms.org

Thanks to Barb Schwartz ( Barb.Schwartz@illinois.gov ) with the Illinois Department of Aging who shared these resources. She received her information from Melinda Perez-Porter of the Brookdale Foundation. Much of this comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHSA):  

 About Bullying: Every day in our schools and communities, children are teased, threatened or tormented by bullies. About Bullying is part of the 15+ Make Time to Listen. Take Time to Talk initiative and provides parents and caregivers with information about bullying and methods for communicating with children about the climate of fear created by bullying.   The messages exchanged between children and their caregivers in just 15 minutes or more a day can be instrumental in building a healthier and safer environment for children.

• Safe schools are everyone's responsibility and everyone can help keep our schools safe.  Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/parent/ . Links to tips and resources to help parents and other primary caregivers recognize bullying behavior and prevent bullying by and against children in their care. Includes publications, resources and related online referrals.
• Educators, Administrators and Guidance Counselors: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/educate/ . Links to specially selected tools to help educators and other school personnel reduce and prevent bullying behavior among school children and to improve peer relations at school. Includes printed public service announcements, pamphlets, posters, resource guides and related online referrals.
• Mental Health Professionals and Other Health Care: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/health/ . Bullying problems can have adverse mental and physical effects. These resources are relevant to mental health and other health care professionals who may encounter children with behavior or health problems associated with bullying.
• Community Organizations and Law Enforcement: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/community/ . Links to resources selected to help community groups and law enforcement agencies prevent youth violence and related problems associated with bullying. Includes public-service announcements for adults and children, posters, pamphlets and online referrals.
• Children and Teens: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/teens/ . Links to interactive games and quizzes, posters, help lines, and other resources designed especially to help children recognize bullying, understand the effects of bullying, and help to stop their own bullying behavior as well as discourage bullying by others.

Featured Publications: SVP-0056: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0056 Take Action Against Bullying – this guide provides an overview of bullying behaviors, their effects, and some preventative measures. A definition of bullying is also given.   SVP-0051: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0051 15+ Make Time to Listen – Take Time to Talk. About Bullying – this document consists of interactive questions designed to start conversations between parents/caregivers and children. Schools, adults and children can use these questions to start conversations about bullying and how to prevent it.   SVP-0052: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0052 Bullying is Not a Fact of Life – this booklet contains information for caregivers who are concerned that a child might be being bullied or be bullying other children. It describes the steps that parents and schools can take, together, to help prevent bullying.  

Related Links Stop Bullying Now http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/_scripts/redirect.asp?ID=8033 The Take a Stand, Lend a Hand, Stop Bullying Now! web site is an initiative of the Health Resource and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp The ABCs of Bullying – Online Course http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/_scripts/redirect.asp?ID=8835 This course, for professionals, examines the causes and effects of bullying, prevention techniques and programs, screening, treatment options, and legal/ethical issues surrounding bullying. The information is relevant to educators, health and mental health practitioners, parents and anyone else who works with children. http://pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/bully/bully_intro_pg1.htm MedlinePlus: Bullying http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/_scripts/redirect.asp?ID=9395 This page lists articles, policy, research reports, and other resources related to bullying garnered from several federal agencies and other trusted sources. MedlinePlus is an online health information service maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bullying.html