This is a topic that has to be discussed more…it’s not getting the attn it needs. I’ve shared stories of bullying before many times on this page, & the horrific outcomes – but I haven’t discussed the role some schools are playing (most often not playing) in these tragedies.
Over the last couple of posts the theme (although IG doesn’t seem to like it) has been abt how we as a society are not paying attn to WHAT happened TO ppl. We’re quick to punish bad behavior. Quick to ask when we lose someone to suicide – what could’ve been so bad that they “chose” this (in quotes bc if you’ve followed here you know how heinous I think that term is – given that suicide is most often a neural breakdown – like a heart attack of the brain, that we don’t rationally choose).
It’s impt to take that bkgrnd, & combine it w what we’re hearing when schools call us up to inquire abt our SameHere Schools programs. When they call, we’ll often do an audit of what they already have in place.
Here’s a clear commonality…& pls keep in mind that schools are one of our revenue streams to stay alive as a nonprofit…so calling out some of the shortcomings is a risk. BUT it’s hard to stay silent when we lose kids like this 10-yr-old boy.
Schools have systems to diagnose: giving out the GAD7 for anxiety screenings…& the PHQ9 for depression. Then, when a student appears in crisis, tools like the Columbia Scale assess suicide risk.
BUT think abt bullying. Think abt this young boy’s smile. Think abt all the bright shining stars the LIFE Saver family’s kid’s were. Those things DON’T show up in those screening tools most often. What happened TO them? It’s why we are so adamant abt the SameHere Scale & doing DAILY check-ins – in a NON diagnostic way, abt WHAT’s going on in their lives.
The most common feedback from families, like this boy- is, the school didn’t do anything abt the bullying. Why? Bc schools don’t see a diagnosis or someone coming in abt crisis when there’s a kid bullying – so it doesn’t sound alarm bells.
But let me say this emphatically: no matter how popular/accomplished- bullying destroys one’s MH & schools have to get in FRONT of this.
