Bullying, Cyberbullying, Racism, Hatred, LGBTQIA+ Discrimination and Homophobia is a direct cause of mental health issues and an epidemic.
Standing Up Against Hate, Racism and Discrimination. Changing The Culture With Diversity, Equity, Equality, Inclusion, Civility and Unity Becomes Our Destiny.
STOMP Out Bullying is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students. It works to reduce and prevent bullying, cyberbullying and other digital abuse, educates against homophobia, LGBTQIA+ discrimination, racism and hatred, and deters violence in schools, online and in communities across the country.
STOMP Out Bullying promotes civility, diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying, as well as educating kids and teens in school and online. It provides help for those in need and at risk of suicide, and raises awareness through peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns.
This hits on a personal note for me, as I have experienced bullying in its various forms for extended periods throughout my school years.
As a preschooler in a country with few blond-headed people, I was different and stood out compared to the other preschoolers born and raised in Brazil so I was a prime target to be teased and left out. Later, back in the states I was the very quiet new kid in the 5th grade class of kids who had all grown up together, so that landed me in the position of class-teasing-target and, of course, no one wanted to be known as the one who spent time with the “target of tease”, which made for a very long, very rough and very lonely year… every single day! And in 7th grade I was terrified of a guy (along with his buddies) who sought me out on a regular basis just to bully me every chance he could.
Although at the time it was extremely lonely, devastating and quite impactful in negative ways to be the target of extreme teasing and emotional abuse by my peers day after day (contributing to deeply buried “emotional baggage” to be discovered later in my adult years) I also see those years as tremendous growth in areas of increased empathy and contributing to my now being a strong out-spoken advocate for those being treated wrongly or poorly in any way. I will not hesitate to do whatever is in my control and what I am able, to help stop any type of abuse from happening.
One of those ways I can help, is to assist in increased awareness, along with supporting groups attempting to help stop the bullying and the hate, and this is one of those avenues available, so if interested you can find out more at https://stompoutbullying.org