Bullying behavior in schools can cause harm to students’ social and emotional well-being and be a significant barrier to learning. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

Bullying can happen at any place, at anytime and at any age. Behavior from someone that makes you feel threatened for your safety is considered bullying.  Bullying also includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. While most reported bullying happens in the school building, a significant percentage also happens in places like on the playground or the bus. It can also happen traveling to or from school, in the youth’s neighborhood, or on the internet.

StopBullying.gov provides resources to help students learn how to identify bullying and stand up to it safely.

If you feel your child has been the victim of bullying, please contact your school principal first. There is also a report form that can be filled out so these instances can be addressed properly. Click here to access the Bullying Report Form. 

Call 988 for the 24-hour Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988, the 24-hour Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You will be connected to the closest possible crisis center in your area. Dial 2 for Spanish.

For more info, check out the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website.

Safe2Help Illinois

Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program where students can use a free app, text/phone, and website to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety.

For more info, check out the Safe2Help Illinois website.