Bullying
Bullying is a serious health risk.
Did you know that bullying is a major risk factor for poor physical and mental health? Those who bully, or have been bullied, experience significant challenges forming lasting relationships, integrating into work and becoming economically independent as adults.What is bullying?
Bullying is based on an imbalance of power. People of all ages use factors like age, popularity, social status, size, physical strength, money, possessions, or information/expertise to gain unhealthy power over others. Bullying is mean, cruel, hurtful behaviour. It involves using power in a negative way to hurt others.The bullied – and the bully – are hurting.
Youth exposed to violence exhibit increased rates of depression, aggression and delinquency, perform worse in school, and more often engage in risky sexual behavior. Combined with the desperate need for belonging that all youth experience as they enter high school, bullying can be perceived as a way to “fit in” and find protection among peers.Bullying is a direct threat to the health and wellbeing of the children we work with. We know that being victims of bullying makes kids more likely to engage in risky behaviours, cave to peer pressure, and make unhealthy choices."
- Joe Calendino, Yo Bro | Yo Girl Executive Director