ELITE Eagles share thoughts on how to prevent bullying, suicide in our school

Bullying is something that kids these days have to deal with especially with social media being such a big part of our lives. Bullying can have devastating outcomes that we as a community can prevent.

When you think of bullying, you would usually think of the movie stereotype of the big jock as the bully knocking books from someone's hand and the little guy with glasses being that guy with the books, but bullying isn't just based on height differences or being a nerd or jock. People are bullied for their race, sexuality, religion, and things they really can't change.

That being said when someone constantly bullies another student for differences they can or cannot help, the victim starts to feel like they can't escape. Mental disorders, emotional and physical injuries are formed which can then lead to suicidal thoughts and suicide itself. Bullying and suicide is more often than not found in teenagers from ages 12-18, which means a lot of students in high school would be affected and we should do what we can as a community to decrease the numbers.

According to NoBullying.com, people who bully lack empathy for other people's feelings or they just enjoy seeing others in pain for a good laugh, so they continue to hurt people without thinking about how it could affect them physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Last week Coach Metts, one of Airport’s gym teachers, shared why she thought bullies bully other students, and she said, “Bullies tend to bully in my opinion because they were probably picked on when they were younger. I think bullying is a learned behavior… If they see others bullying they think it is acceptable behavior.” There isn't one right answer for why people feel the need to bully, it happens for numerous reasons, such as problems within themselves, at home, at work, or at school.

Certain groups, like the LGBT+ community, people of different religions and POC are more likely to be targeted by bullies because they are different and society feels that different isn't always good.

When asked if she had ever been bullied, Ashton Folden, a freshman at airport high school, said, “Yes. I'm gay and society can't get over it.” Society plays a major role in teenagers lives especially now with tv and social media showing what is or isn't cool at the moment.

In school, people witness bullying constantly, but often choose not to speak up in fear of being bullied themselves. Standing up to a bully can be a good thing because it shows other students that it's not cool and the victim will appreciate your kindness. Kristina Hartley, another freshman at AHS, said, “[People will stand up to a bully] because you feel bad for that person and you would want someone to stand up for you if you were in their place.” Put yourself in the victim's shoes and ask yourself what you'd want someone else to do for you.

In conclusion, bullying is still a problem today and it leads to harmful outcomes like suicide which we can help prevent by helping those who need it. More things need to be done by teachers, students, and parents to make our school and community and more accepting and safe place.

Crisis Call Center: 1-800-273-8255 (For suicide, mental health, and more)

Cyber Bullying Hotline:1-800-420-1479

SuicidePreventionLifeLine.org