Temporary Problem: School Bullying
One out of four students report getting bullied in a school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2015). Bullying is a situation that everyone knows, but not many people understand how serious it is or how many people experience it.
Many people have their own personal bullying stories, and this one is of a girl named Ella. When Ella was in 5th grade a girl treated her very badly. This girl would call Ella names and even hurt her by punching and kicking her. But this was Ella’s only “friend”, the only person she knew. When the bullying started to get worse she cut herself around her legs and stomach regularly because she felt like she was letting out all of her pain. When she attempted to kill herself by slitting her arms in the bathroom she lost so much blood she collapsed right there in her own home. She was taken to the hospital and was in rehab for a month. The bully still scares her and the depression and anxiety stay with her but she made the decision to avoid her at all costs. Afterward, Ella understood now, “...suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem…”(Ella’s Story).
Bullying is a serious crisis. The Center for Disease Control in 2015 says : “Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for poor school adjustment, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression.”. They also state that those who are involved in bullying are more likely to participate in substance abuse. An organization that understands and wants to help is STOMP Out Bullying. STOMP Out Bullying is the leading national bullying prevention organization for teens. The organization was founded by Ross Ellis in 2005 for the reduction and prevention of bullying/cyberbullying, sexting, racism, deterring violence in schools, and other topics with skills on how to respond to these issues. Some people see suicide as an alternative, and STOMP Out Bullying works aggressively to prevent this crisis and help those people affected by it. People can help this organization, even in high school, by becoming a Teen Ambassador. Anyone can donate to their cause, or talk to a school about adding bullying programs into the curriculum. They also have many bullying prevention campaigns anyone can participate in.
There are people out there trying to make a difference in people’s lives. In some cases bullying actually is life or death and if you ever witness bullying in your school, report it or find any way to help. _____________________________________________________________________
Work Cited
Ella. "Ella's Story." Ella's Story. Stamp Out Bullying, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
Lessne, Deborah, and Melissa Cidade. "Bullying Statistics." Media Kit. National Center for Education Statistics, Apr.- May 2015. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
"Seven Ways to Help." STOMP Out Bullying. STOMP Out Bullying, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.