This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

The start of the school year brings excitement, but also worry for many parents and children. Bullying continues to be a major concern, according to Kids Helpline. The organisation's data reveals a significant increase in counseling sessions related to bullying in the past year, with 5% of all sessions directly addressing this issue. Australia ranks second among OECD countries for teen bullying.

Tragically, Kids Helpline counsellors reported that one in seven young people aged 10-14 expressed suicidal thoughts when discussing bullying in 2024. Children and young people feel helpless and are actively seeking support. Kids Helpline's website has seen a surge in visits for self-help tools to deal with bullying, including cyberbullying.

Over 178,000 individuals accessed bullying-related information on Kids Helpline's website in 2024.

Kids Helpline @ School, a program available nationally in primary and secondary schools, provides early intervention and support to students and teachers. It offers classroom resources and free virtual workshops to help children and young people develop resilience, manage relationships, and seek assistance when needed.

Parents can play a crucial role in helping their children build resilience by focusing on the behavior as the problem, being curious about the bully's motivations, having a sense of humor, empowering their child to explore options and outcomes, and showing compassion and modeling good behavior.

Kids Helpline encourages families to reach out for help and support whenever they need it. They can be contacted at 1800 55 1800, through online chat, or via their website at kidshelpline.com.au. Kids Helpline @ School is available at schools.kidshelpline.com.au.

Additional Information:

• What is Bullying? Bullying is repeated, unwanted behavior that involves a power imbalance and causes harm to the victim. It can take physical, verbal, or social forms.

• Signs of Bullying: Changes in behavior, such as withdrawal, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping; physical injuries; or loss of interest in activities.

• How to Help a Child Who is Being Bullied: Listen to them, believe them, and offer support. Help them develop coping strategies and, if necessary, seek professional help.

• How to Prevent Bullying: Create a safe and inclusive school environment, teach children about bullying and how to prevent it, and intervene when bullying occurs.

Remember, bullying is not okay. By working together, we can create a safer and more welcoming environment for all children.