Do Not Be A Bully Month is observed in August to address bullying prevention. With the school year just around the corner this is the perfect time for parents to sit down with their children and discuss proper behavior and how we treat others.

According to bullyingstatistics.org parents should:

• Set a good example by not bullying or intimidating others.

• Talk to your child about the fact that bullying is wrong and hurts other people.

• Make clear family rules about what bullying is and that any form of bullying is not acceptable.

• Explain the consequences if anyone bullies, and be sure that you follow through on the consequences any time this rule is broken.

• Spend time with your child and ask questions about their friends and activities.

• Monitor your child’s behavior, including cellphone and social media usage.

• Watch for and praise any times that they use positive social interactions.

• Encourage your school to post their policy on the school website if it is not there already.

According to a study published in February by the journal PLOS ONE, being a victim of bullying can be associated with mental distress and suicide attempts in teens. School bullying is a common problem, with research estimating that as many as 30% of American youth suffer. Examples of this may be cyberbullying, social bullying, and bullying based on race and sexual orientation. Hurtful sexual jokes and comments correlate significantly to mental distress and suicide attempts.

The Parent Resource Program sponsored by The Jason Foundation is a valuable website for parents. The site provides information, tools, and resources to help parents identify if their child is at risk. Visit https://prp.jasonfoundation.com.