“On Oct. 3, he asked me what day it is.”

It seems only fitting that Mean Girls Day is celebrated Oct. 3 since National Bullying Prevention Month is celebrated in October.

For those unfamiliar with the movie “Mean Girls,” to which the above quote is attributed, a new student transfers to a high school and has to navigate her way through the “social jungle.” Since she had previously been home schooled, the main character, Cady Heron, finds herself lost and has to learn whom she can trust and discover who she wants to be.

A major theme of the movie is bullying, even leading to a full-out physical brawl among the junior class girls. School staff members then try to work with the students to resolve some of these issues.

It also makes sense to make October National Bullying Prevention Month since students are back in classes and have had some time to settle in and get into a routine. First, focus on adjusting to classes and a new schedule. Next, focus on being good people and treating others with respect.

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, October was officially declared National Bullying Prevention Month in 2006.

“Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families such as school avoidance, loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety and depression,” NCTSN reported.

Bullying can be verbal, physical, social exclusion or through digital sources, according to NCTSN.

“Unlike mutual teasing or fighting, bullying occurs when one person or a group of people is perceived as being more powerful than another and takes advantage of that power through repeated physical assaults, threats of harm, intimidation or by purposefully excluding a person from a valued social group,” NCTSN reported.

In today’s increasingly digital age, cyberbullying, particularly through social media sources, is on the rise.

“Cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly and intentionally harasses, mistreats or makes fun of another person online or while using cellphones or other electronic devices,” according to the Cyberbullying Research Center.

The 2023 data showed more than half of the students studied reported experiencing cyberbullying at some point in their lives. Types of cyberbullying include mean or hurtful comments posted online, exclusion from group chats, rumors spread online and being embarrassed or humiliated online.

“Being bullied can severely affect the person’s self-image, social interactions and school performance and can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, substance use and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors,” NCTSN reported.

NCTSN has a wealth of resources, including a video for parents to navigate issues if their child is being bullied, a child trauma tool kit for educators, a fact sheet on age-related reactions to a traumatic event, a guide to addressing race and trauma in the classroom, information on LGBTQ issues with child trauma and more.

The 18th annual World Day of Bullying Prevention was celebrated Oct. 7. It is recognized the first Monday in October. STOMP Out Bullying asks everyone to wear blue to help raise awareness and understanding.

The National Institutes of Health noted October is a good time for organizations to “take action at the local level to foster safe and supportive environments.”

Bullying does not only happen in adolescence, and hostile comments, discriminatory behavior and intimidation can also be seen in the professional workplace.

“By promoting kindness, inclusivity and respect, we can contribute to creating workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected,” NIH reported. “Together, we have the power to make bullying a thing of the past and build a better, more compassionate world.”

Several school districts in the area, including Whitehall-Coplay and Catasauqua Area, have been using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program for a few years. The evidence-based program focuses on “systemic change to create a safe and positive school climate,” according to its website.

It works to reduce existing and prevent new bullying problems and achieve better peer relations by decreasing opportunities for bullying while encouraging pro-social and positive behaviors and working to build a sense of community.

Catasauqua Middle School also utilizes Start With Hello Week, from the Sandy Hook Promise, to get students better acquainted and comfortable with each other at the start of the school year. Sheckler Elementary School, in Catasauqua, recently initiated a new program to reduce bullying incidents on school buses by having the students and drivers get to know each other better.

These connections help humanize each other and reduce bullying by increasing knowledge, awareness and empathy for each other.

Many school districts in Lehigh and Northampton counties have been utilizing the Pennsylvania Youth Survey to learn, directly from the students, about their behaviors, attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco other drugs and violence. It also explores students’ mental health and wellness, their commitment to school and the community and other risk and protective factors.

The survey is given out every two years, and districts are provided with anonymous reports of the compiled data to inform decisions about programming to help students.

This October, remember to be nice to each other.

To further quote “Mean Girls,” “Calling somebody else fat won’t make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn’t make you any smarter. All you can do in life is try to solve the problem in front of you.”

Samantha Anderson

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press