Bullying Bites!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month as well as National Orthodontic Health Month. Orthodontists worldwide are coming together to take a stand and encourage patients to help spread kindness. Here’s some resources to help you and your teen create a world without bullying:

TEENS AGAINST BULLYING
Wednesday, October 19 is Unity Day. Wear and share orange to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. The Pacer Center’s Teens Against Bullying is a great resource to help teens take action.

STAND FOR THE SILENT
Founded in 2010 Stand for the Silent is one of the leading and most effective anti-bullying organizations. Their mission is to bring awareness to bullying and the real devastation it causes.

Parents, understand the Warning Signs your Child is Being Bullied or At-Risk:

• Sudden change in school attendance.
• Frequent complaints of stomach aches, headaches, loss of appetite, etc. especially before going to school and returning.
• Avoids recess.
• Declining school work/participation or overinvestment in academic performance and/or becoming the teacher’s pet.
• Has a learning disability or obvious difference from other students.
• Appears pre-occupied and has difficulty concentrating.
• Insufficient social skills, inadequate self-assertion skills and socially isolated.
• Body language reflects low self-esteem or appears physically smaller/ weaker/ clumsier than other students.
• Irritates other students.
• Passive, withdrawn, overly sensitive.
• Displays signs of anxiety.
• Displays signs of depression.
• Presents injuries/upset with explanations that do not seem to fit.
• Talks about running away or suicide.