Note: Make sure you click on the links that are sprinkled throughout this post. These links will further educate you.
Introduction
Hey guys! I understand that I have been MIA and I REALLY apologize for that. Between school, writing, studying for my bar exam, living, and working on Kay Kay’s Fashion, I have had little to no time to update my blog. So, I am SO SORRY for being MIA and I promise that this month I will be WAY more active. This month is very special to me. This month is NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH! If you have followed me for a good amount of time, you will know that I take bullying very seriously and have drawn awareness to this epidemic as my platform has grown and increased.
Background information on National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
“This month, across the world, from New York to New Zealand, thousands of schools, communities, organizations, and individuals will come together to release new resources, campaigns, and efforts aimed at raising awareness for bullying prevention. Nearly a decade old, Bullying Prevention Awareness month was initiated by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2006. Since it began, the event has grown to an entire month of education and awareness activities and is being recognized by schools and communities throughout the world. PACER recognized that students, parents, and people around the world need to become more aware of the serious consequences of bullying…PACER developed National Bullying Prevention Month to raise awareness and also to change the culture around bullying, which was historically considered a childhood rite of passage. “We know that bullying can lead to school avoidance, decreased self-esteem, depression, and even self-harm,” said Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. “Bullying intervention and prevention is something in which everyone can play an important role.”[1]
Is bullying really an epidemic?
There is a lot more awareness on bullying today than there ever was before. You have celebrities like Demi Lovato who have used their platform to constantly speak out against bullying. There are also shows like, 13 Reasons Why, that depict teen suicide that stemmed from bullying. Also, there are also many stories about teens who have committed suicide from bullying and it seems like the age of these children is just getting younger and younger.
Now, I understand that many people may say that calling bullying an epidemic is just a gross exaggeration… well, I beg to differ. “Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds.”[2] In addition, bullying has been shown to contribute to teen suicide as studies have shown that, “for the most part, youth involved in bullying in any capacity – both bullies and victims of bullying – were more likely to think about and attempt suicide than youth who were not involved in bullying. In short, bullying is bad for everyone involved.”[3]
Why do you personally care about bullying so much?
I care about bullying because I dealt with bullying as a teenager. The bullying was so traumatic that I developed PTSD as soon as I left high school. By the grace of God, I was able to overcome and become very successful. I want to share my story and remind children and teens that it gets better and you can not only end doing decently, but you can end up being more than a conqueror like myself.
What should readers expect from Kay Kay’s Way during this month?
Readers should expect various educational posts and even an interview here or there. This month will be very inspiring and should serve as an educational and motivational tool for everyone. Also, this is something that Kay Kay's Way plans to do each October so expect something bigger next year!
To learn more about bullying please CLICK HERE. Also, if you are feeling suicidal please CLICK HERE and get help. Finally, if you need someone to talk to then CLICK HERE.
[1] Hertzog, Julie, and Sally Harris. “October Is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.”StopBullying.gov, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 5 Oct. 2015, www.stopbullying.gov/blog/2015/10/05/october-national-bullying-prevention-awareness-month.
[2] Teen Suicide, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Oct. 2013, www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Teen_Suicide_10.aspx.
[3] Holt, Melissa. “Bullying and Suicide: What's the Connection?” The Conversation, The Conversation US, Inc., 17 Sept. 2017, theconversation.com/bullying-and-suicide-whats-the-connection-82353.
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