From Awareness to Action: How Anti-Bullying Week Can Improve Mental Health Policies
Written by: Zafra Aswar Ali
Photo by Freepik
Anti-Bullying Week is annually observed in November. In 2024, it will take place from the 11th to the 17th of November under the theme ‘Choose Respect’. It is an initiative to raise awareness about the harmfulness of bullying and to stand up against it through positive actions. In addition, it allows us to examine and revise the current mental health policies to extend support to those impacted by bullying at school, the workplace, or any environment where bullying may be prevalent.
The link between bullying and mental health
Bullying is identified as one of the leading causes of mental health issues. It can come in various forms such as physical aggression, verbal abuse, and cyberbullying. Any type of bullying can lead to harmful consequences, leaving the individual involved feeling isolated, helpless, and with low self-esteem, irrespective of their age group. This eventually results in mental health issues like anxiety and depression that can have a lasting impact on one’s overall quality of life. Hence, the aim of observing Anti-Bullying Week is to spread the message that no individual deserves to be bullied and to emphasise the importance of seeking support.
How mental health policies can be improved through Anti-Bullying Week
Limited resources
Due to reasons like financial constraints or limited mental health professionals, victims of bullying may face difficulties in seeking support. Therefore, access to mental health resources should be made easy through this initiative by hiring more counsellors and psychologists at schools and workplaces.
Lack of preventive measures
Prevention is better than cure. Likewise, apart from attending to the consequences of bullying, prevention can be prioritised via early and safe intervention as well as educational campaigns that promote empathy.
Inadequate attention on cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a dangerous form of bullying that has become dominant due to the advancement of technology. Attention needs to be given to cyberbullying as it can be more detrimental due to information being shared in public, often anonymously. This can result in fear among the victims of cyberbullying, leaving them hesitant to reach out for assistance.
Conclusion
Anti-Bullying Week is an amazing opportunity to stand against all forms of bullying and raise awareness of the mental health issues that arise from it. Through an appropriate set of mental health policies that include community and educational engagements, bullying can be prevented in the long run to create a safe environment for everyone to live in.
References
https://oasistms.com/anti-bullying-awareness-week/
https://namiswwa.org/anti-bullying-awareness-week-a-collective-effort-for-change/