Bullying &
Suicide Prevention
Prevention
Hayalee Joy C. Vicente-Estoya
Clinical Psychologist
Bullying and What One Can Do About It
1 Understand
Recognize the different forms of bullying and their impact on individuals and
and communities
2 Respond
Learn effective strategies for victims, bystanders, and educators to address bullying
address bullying situations
3 Prevent
Implement proactive measures to create inclusive, supportive environments that
environments that discourage bullying behavior
4 Support
Provide ongoing assistance to those affected by bullying through dedicated
dedicated resources and community engagement
Bullying affects millions of students every year, but through education and action, we can make
we can make a difference. This section will guide you through understanding the issue and
issue and developing effective responses to create safer spaces for everyone.
Definition and Types of Bullying
Physical Bullying Verbal Bullying
Includes hitting, pushing, shoving, tripping, and other physical Involves name-calling, insults, teasing, intimidation,
physical attacks. Also encompasses damaging or taking homophobic or racist remarks, and verbal abuse. Often
someone's belongings. dismissed but can cause lasting emotional damage.
Social/Relational Bullying Cyberbullying
Characterized by excluding someone, spreading rumors, Occurs through digital technologies like social media, messaging
damaging relationships, and humiliation. More common among messaging platforms, or forums. Can happen 24/7 and reach
girls and often harder to identify. reach victims even when they're alone.
Bullying is characterized by three key elements: intentional aggression, repetition over time, and an imbalance of power between the
between the perpetrator and victim. Understanding these different types helps in identifying and addressing bullying effectively.
effectively.
Effects of Bullying on Victims
Psychological Impact Academic Consequences
Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, Decreased concentration, lower
and feelings of worthlessness that grades, increased absences, and
can persist long after the bullying reluctance to participate in school
stops activities
Long-term Impact
Social Effects
Increased risk of mental health
Difficulty forming relationships,
disorders, substance abuse, and
social isolation, and trust issues that
difficulties in personal and
can follow victims into adulthood
professional relationships
The effects of bullying extend far beyond the immediate incident. Research shows that victims often experience symptoms
experience symptoms similar to those with PTSD, with impacts potentially lasting into adulthood if appropriate support isn't
appropriate support isn't provided. Early intervention is critical to minimize these harmful effects.
Why People Bully Others
Home Environment
Family conflicts, lack of supervision, or witnessing aggressive behavior
Personal Struggles
Insecurity, desire for control, poor social skills, or undiagnosed issues
Social Factors
Peer pressure, social status seeking, or fear of being targeted themselves
Understanding why people bully is crucial for effective intervention. Many bullies have experienced difficult circumstances themselves, though
this never justifies their behavior. Research shows that addressing the underlying causes often requires a supportive approach rather than
purely punitive measures.
By identifying these root causes, we can work toward breaking the cycle of bullying through targeted interventions that address the bully's
address the bully's needs while firmly establishing boundaries and consequences for harmful behavior.
What Victims Can Do
Speak Up
Tell a trusted adult about the situation, whether it's a teacher, parent, school counselor, or another authority figure. Be s pecific
figure. Be specific about what happened and how it made you feel.
Stay Safe
Avoid confrontation when possible. Remain calm, walk away from the situation, and stay in groups when in areas where bullying might occ
Document Everything
Keep a record of bullying incidents, including dates, times, locations, what happened, and who was present. For cyberbullying,
save screenshots as evidence.
Build Confidence
Engage in activities you enjoy and excel at, surround yourself with supportive friends, and consider speaking with a counselor
a counselor about building resilience.
Remember that being bullied is never your fault, and you deserve to feel safe and respected. Having a response plan can help you feel more in
help you feel more in control of the situation.
How Bystanders Can Help
Report Safely
Provide Direct Support Tell a trusted adult about what
Recognize Your Power Stand with the person being you've witnessed. This isn't
Understand that bystanders bullied, invite them to join your "tattling" – it's protecting
have significant influence. group, or simply sit with them at someone from harm. Many
Research shows that when peers lunch. Small gestures of schools offer anonymous
intervene, bullying stops within inclusion can have a powerful reporting options if you're
10 seconds in most cases. Your impact on someone feeling concerned about backlash.
action or inaction makes a isolated.
difference.
Bystanders play a crucial role in either perpetuating or stopping bullying. By choosing to be an
"upstander" rather than a passive observer, you can create a culture where bullying is socially
unacceptable and everyone feels responsible for maintaining a safe environment.
School and Community Responsibility
Clear Policies Training Programs Community Engagement
Schools must establish comprehensive Regular training for all school Partnerships between schools,
anti-bullying policies with specific personnel helps ensure consistent families, and community organizations
procedures for reporting, consistent enforcement of anti- organizations strengthen anti-bullying
investigating, and addressing bullying policies. Staff should learn to bullying initiatives. Community-wide
incidents. These policies should be learn to recognize warning signs, wide campaigns raise awareness and
regularly communicated to students, intervene effectively, and support and promote a culture of respect and
staff, and parents. affected students. and inclusion.
Parent education programs can extend
Involving students in developing these
Effective policies include clear these principles into the home
these initiatives increases their
definitions of bullying behaviors, environment, creating a consistent
effectiveness and helps create
outlined consequences, and approach across settings.
sustainable change in school culture.
protection for those who report
culture.
incidents.
When schools, families, and communities work together, they create a powerful network of protection and support for
vulnerable students. Consistent messaging across all environments reinforces expectations for respectful behavior.
Preventive Measures and Education
Promote Empathy Foster Inclusion Digital Citizenship Open Dialogue
Implement social- Create opportunities Teach responsible Encourage regular
emotional learning opportunities for online behavior, discussions about
programs that diverse groups to including privacy respect, diversity, and
develop empathy, work together protection, respectful and bullying through
emotional through mixed-ability communication, and through class
intelligence, and ability grouping, appropriate responses meetings, advisory
perspective-taking cooperative learning, to cyberbullying programs, and peer
abilities. Research learning, and inclusive situations. leadership initiatives.
shows these programs inclusive initiatives.
can reduce bullying extracurricular
incidents by up to activities that
25%. celebrate differences.
differences.
Prevention is always more effective than intervention after bullying has occurred. By creating school cultures that value
that value kindness, respect, and inclusion, we can significantly reduce bullying incidents while preparing students to be
students to be compassionate citizens in an increasingly diverse world.
Suicide and Self-Harm: What to Do and How to Get Help
Get Help
Understanding the Urgency Breaking the Stigma Supporting Recovery
Open discussions about mental With appropriate treatment and
Suicide is a leading cause of death health challenges help reduce support, those experiencing
among young people, but it is shame and encourage those suicidal thoughts or self-harming
preventable with proper struggling to seek help. Your words behaviors can recover and develop
intervention and support. and attitudes matter. healthy coping strategies.
Recognizing risk factors and
warning signs can save lives.
This section provides crucial information about suicide and self-harm, two deeply concerning issues that affect many young people. Our
goal is to equip you with the knowledge and resources to recognize warning signs, respond effectively, and connect those in need with
life-saving support.
Understanding Suicide and Self-Harm
Suicide Self-Harm
Suicide is the deliberate act of taking one's own life. It Self-harm involves deliberately injuring oneself, commonly
typically stems from intense feelings of hopelessness, commonly through cutting, burning, hitting, or excessive
despair, and the belief that there is no other way to escape excessive scratching. It often serves as a maladaptive
overwhelming pain. maladaptive coping mechanism for emotional distress.
distress.
Contrary to common misconceptions, talking about suicide While self-harm and suicide are distinct behaviors with
suicide does not plant the idea in someone's mind. Rather, different motivations, self-harm may increase the risk of
Rather, open conversations can provide relief and open suicide over time. Both require compassionate intervention
open pathways to help. and professional support.
Understanding the difference between these behaviors helps us respond appropriately. Both suicide and self-harm indicate
significant emotional distress that requires attention, but they may need different approaches and levels of intervention.
Warning Signs
Warning signs can vary greatly between individuals, but recognizing these common indicators may help
indicators may help identify someone at risk. Look for patterns rather than isolated incidents,
incidents, particularly when multiple warning signs appear together or represent a change from typical
from typical behavior.
Remember that some individuals may hide their struggles well, making it important to check in regularly
with friends and loved ones, especially after difficult life events or periods of increased stress.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Mental Health Conditions
Social Factors
Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar
Bullying, social isolation, relationship
disorder, borderline personality disorder,
problems, and family conflict can
and PTSD significantly increase suicide
contribute to suicidal thoughts,
risk. About 90% of people who die by
particularly when combined with other
suicide have an underlying mental health
risk factors.
condition.
Situational Factors Historical Factors
Recent loss, major life changes, exposure Previous suicide attempts, family history
exposure to suicide, and access to lethal of suicide, and childhood trauma or abuse
lethal means can elevate immediate risk, can increase vulnerability to suicidal
risk, especially in those already thoughts.
vulnerable.
Understanding these risk factors helps us identify those who may need additional support. Risk increases when multiple factors are present,
factors are present, though many people with these factors never develop suicidal thoughts. The presence of protective factors like strong
factors like strong social connections can significantly reduce risk.
What to Do If You or Someone Else Is at Risk
Recognize the signs
Be alert to warning signs such as talk of suicide, withdrawal, or giving away possessions
Start the conversation
Ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" Listen without judgment
Connect with help
Stay with the person and help them contact crisis services or a trusted adult
Follow up
Check in regularly and continue supporting their recovery journey
Taking action when someone is at risk is crucial - research shows that 70% of people who die by suicide give some warning of their intentions.
of their intentions. Don't wait for someone else to step in; your intervention could save a life. Remember that expressing concern won't "put
concern won't "put ideas in their head" - instead, it opens the door to getting help.
How to Get Help
0917-558-4673 0918-873-4673 0917-565-2036
Hopeline Philippines Hopeline Philippines Philippine Mental Health Association
0919-057-1553 0917-899-8727
National Center for Mental Health National Center for Mental Health
Crisis Hotline Crisis Hotline
Professional help is essential for addressing suicidal thoughts and self-harm. School counselors can provide immediate support and connect
support and connect students with appropriate resources. Many communities offer free or low-cost mental health services specifically for
specifically for young people.
Treatment typically includes therapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy is particularly effective), and sometimes medication for underlying mental
underlying mental health conditions. Family-based approaches often yield the best outcomes for adolescents, creating a supportive recovery
supportive recovery environment.
Supporting Someone Who is Struggling
Listen Without Judgment Be Patient and Consistent
Create a safe space for honest expression. Avoid Recovery isn't linear. Continue checking in regularly,
minimizing their feelings with phrases like "it's not that regularly, even when they seem to be improving.
bad" or "you have so much to live for." Simply being improving. Consistency shows that your support isn't
present and attentive can provide immense relief. support isn't conditional on their crisis state.
Offer Practical Help Care for Yourself
Assist with finding professional resources, accompany Supporting someone in crisis can be emotionally
them to appointments if appropriate, or help with emotionally taxing. Maintain your own support
everyday tasks when they're struggling. Small gestures network and seek guidance from counselors or mental
can make overwhelming situations more manageable. mental health professionals when needed.
Your support can make a profound difference, but remember that you cannot and should not try to be someone's only
someone's only resource. Professional help is essential for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm.
self-harm.
Building Resilience and Mental Wellness
Self-Care Practices Healthy Coping Strong Open
Regular exercise,
Skills Connections Conversations
adequate sleep, and Develop a toolkit of Nurture meaningful Normalize discussions
nutritious eating form strategies like deep relationships with discussions about
the foundation of breathing, journaling, friends, family, and mental health
mental wellness. Even creative expression, and mentors who provide challenges. When we
small improvements in mindfulness to navigate support and perspective talk openly about these
these areas can difficult emotions. These during difficult times. these issues, we reduce
significantly impact skills build resilience Social connection is one reduce stigma and
emotional regulation against future of the strongest create environments
and stress management. challenges. protective factors where seeking help is
against suicide. encouraged rather than
than feared.
Building mental wellness isn't just about preventing crisis—it's about creating lives with meaning, connection, and the ability to weather
ability to weather inevitable challenges. These practices benefit everyone, regardless of whether they're currently struggling with mental
struggling with mental health concerns.
What If You Are Thinking About Suicide or Self-Harm?
You Are Not Alone There Is Hope Your Story Isn't Over
What you're feeling right now is incredibly It may be impossible to imagine right now, These feelings are a chapter, not the
painful, but countless others have but with proper support and treatment, the conclusion of your story. With help, you can
experienced similar thoughts and found their overwhelming pain you're feeling can write new chapters filled with meaning,
way through to better days. Your current subside. Many people who once considered connection, and even joy—experiences that
feelings, no matter how overwhelming, are ending their lives are now grateful they seem impossible from where you stand now.
temporary and treatable. sought help instead.
If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please know that these thoughts are a symptom—not a solution. Reaching out for help
is an act of courage, not weakness, and it's the first step toward relief from the pain you're experiencing.
What You Can Do Immediately
Tell Someone Stay Connected Create Safety Use Crisis Resources
Reach out to any trusted Avoid isolation, which can Remove access to potentially Contact a crisis line via call,
person—a friend, parent, intensify difficult thoughts. harmful items and stay in call, text, or chat. These
teacher, counselor, coach, or Simply being around others, environments where you feel services are available 24/7
relative. If the first person even if you're not discussing secure. Ask someone you and staffed by trained
doesn't respond well, try your feelings, can provide trust to help with this if counselors who understand
someone else. Breaking the safety and perspective. needed. understand what you're going
silence is the crucial first step. going through.
These immediate steps can help keep you safe during a crisis moment. Remember that intense emotional states fluctuate—by
states fluctuate—by taking these actions, you're creating space for the intensity to decrease and for clearer thinking to return.
thinking to return.
Long-Term Steps for Healing
Professional Support Safety Planning Daily Practices
Working with mental health professionals A safety plan is a personalized strategy for Small, consistent actions contribute
provides specialized tools for recovery. strategy for managing suicidal thoughts significantly to recovery:
Different approaches work for different thoughts and preventing crisis.
• Establishing regular sleep patterns
people—options include: Components include:
• Warning signs that indicate rising risk • Physical movement that feels good to
• Individual therapy you
• Internal coping strategies
• Group therapy • Balanced nutrition and hydration
• People and places that provide
• Family therapy distraction • Journaling or creative expression
• Medication management • Contacts for support and professional • Mindfulness or spiritual practices
Don't get discouraged if the first provider help
isn't a perfect fit. Finding the right support • Ways to create a safe environment
sometimes takes time.
Healing is rarely a straight line—setbacks are normal parts of the recovery process. With consistent support and practice, healthier thought
patterns and coping skills become stronger and more automatic over time.
Why It's Worth Holding On
Your Future Self
Many who have survived suicidal crises report being deeply grateful they stayed. Your future self—the
one who has moved through this pain—is waiting to experience joys you cannot currently imagine.
Your Ripple Effect
Your life touches others in ways you may not fully recognize. Research shows that suicide has
devastating effects on survivors—family, friends, classmates, and even acquaintances—that last for
generations.
Help Is Available
Effective treatments and support systems exist, even if you haven't found the right ones yet.
Every day, people find their way from despair to recovery with proper support and care.
When in crisis, our brains convince us that the pain will never end. This is depression's greatest lie. The truth is that with proper support, even the
deepest suffering can be addressed, and lives that once seemed unbearable can become filled with meaning and even joy.
Your story matters, and it's not finished yet. Please stay to write the next chapters.
