Teen Facts
Can Alcohol Hurt You?
Adults do it all the time, so why should you worry, right? Wrong. As a teen or young adult, your brain is still growing and developing and will continue to do so until the age of 22-24. Studies now prove that drinking alcohol, even in small quantities, can harm that growth.
When you drink alcohol, it’s absorbed into your bloodstream, and then affects the central nervous system. The central nervous system is your brain and spinal cord, which controls all of your body functions.
Even small amounts of alcohol can be risky. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down or depresses the brain. You might start out happy and relaxed, but usually alcohol makes you sad. Alcohol users often cry uncontrollably. It affects your ability to think, speak and even your sense of balance.
In a national study, more than 90% of kids think teens that drink alcohol are not cool. 89% said drinking alcohol between ages 9-13 was never ok.
*Kids Health Study from Nemours
The Effects of Alcohol
- It can make you physically sick. You could throw up—which is never fun or attractive to others—pass out or worse. You can also wake up the next morning with a hangover, which feels awful.
- You might act out of character, or say or do something you don’t mean.
- It can hurt your ability to make good decisions. Kids who drink often act impulsively and do things they otherwise wouldn’t do—including having sex, or trying other drugs they otherwise wouldn’t.
- You might end up doing something embarrassing. When you drink alcohol, your inhibitions are lessened, and you might regret it—especially since everything can be documented and put on the internet or sent through cell phones.
- It can get you into trouble—not only with your parents, but potentially with the police, or school administrators. It’s no fun to have to call your parents from jail, get kicked out of school, or get grounded.
- You might let your guard down, and decide to trust someone you wouldn’t otherwise trust. You might decide to ride in a car with someone who has been drinking, or leave with someone you don’t know at all, which is risky.
- Teens who drink are more likely to get into fights, both verbally and physically.
- Teens who drink don’t do as well in school. It can damage your ability to study well and earn good grades.
- It can affect your ability to perform well in sports, because alcohol affects balance and coordination.
- Teen drinkers are more likely to gain weight or have health problems like high blood pressure.
- Alcohol is addictive. If you start drinking when you’re young, it increases your chances for developing alcoholism, especially if it runs in your family. You might start needing alcohol just to feel good.
Alcohol Poisoning
Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can result in alcohol poisoning. This is why drinking games can be so dangerous. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. You can also feel extremely sleepy, or slip into unconsciousness. You could experience difficulty in breathing or even a seizure. It also can create dangerously low blood sugar. In extreme situations, it can cause death—and no party is worth that.
The Facts About Binge Drinking
The Centers for Disease Control estimate that nearly 38 million or one out of every six Americans have participated in binge drinking. In the Jan. 10 issue of the CDC journal Vital Signs researchers surveyed 458,000 Americans who were 18 and older, asking them how much they had to drink in the past 30 days. The age group with most binge drinkers is 18-34 years.
– CBS, January 12, 2012
In a previous study by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, researchers reported that 29.8% of those 12 and older reported binge drinking in the past month.
– National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008-2009
Bienville Parish Teens and Binge Drinking
According to the 2014 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey in Bienville Parish:
- 11% of Bienville Parish 6th through 12th grade students reported binge drinking (having 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a row) in the past two weeks.
- 11.9% of students in Grade 8 as compared to 18.6% in Grade 12 binge drank, supporting research that shows that binge drinking in the past 30 days for adolescents typically increases with age.
- “Everybody” isn’t binge drinking, and it’s important to get the word out!
Binge Drinking is Dangerous
Drinking large amounts of alcohol (four of five drinks) in a short period of time is known as binge drinking. In Bienville Parish, many teens are daring each other to drink a lot at one time. They’re also playing drinking games. This is extremely dangerous, because it can result in alcohol poisoning.
Binge Drinking Can Lead to Alcohol Poisoning
Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can result in alcohol poisoning. This is why drinking games can be so dangerous. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. You can also feel extremely sleepy, or slip into unconsciousness. You could experience difficulty in breathing or even a seizure. It also can create dangerously low blood sugar. In extreme situations, it can cause death—and no party is worth that.
- The first symptom of alcohol poisoning is usually violent vomiting.
- When teens over drink, it can result in a sleepy feeling, or even unconsciousness.
- Binge drinkers can experience difficulty in breathing or even have a seizure.
- Alcohol poisoning can create dangerously low blood sugar levels.
- In extreme situations, alcohol poisoning can cause death.
Drinking and Driving
According to the CCYS 2014 Survey, nearly 1 in 4 students report riding with a drinking driver during the past 30 days.
Alcohol + Diet Drinks or Energy Drinks
Do Alcohol Mixers Affect Intoxication Levels?
- Does it make a difference if you drink alcohol with regular or diet sodas? According to a new study, it does. In a study of men and women ages 21-33, those who drank vodka mixed with diet soda had breath alcohol concentrations that were 18% higher after 40 minutes compared to people who drank the same amount of vodka mixed with regular soda.
- After three to four drinks, people who used diet soda as a mixer had a breath alcohol level that exceeded the legal limit for an adult operating a motor vehicle. People who used regular soda in their drink did not.
- People who used diet mixers scored worse on a test measuring reaction time than people who used regular mixers. However, both groups reported feeling similar levels of intoxication.
- The test findings suggest that diet mixers, although lower in calories, may have insidious effects, according to study researcher Cecile Marczinski, an assistant professor of psychology at Northern Kentucky University.
“People think they’re saving some calories by drinking their alcohol with a diet drink, but it’s much more harmful to the body to have a high blood alcohol concentration,” Marczinski said. Regular mixers may slow down the time it takes a person to become intoxicated from drinking, the researchers said.
Alcohol is absorbed by the body when it reaches the small intestine. But the stomach may treat the sugar in regular mixers as if it were food. As a result, the alcohol doesn’t reach the small intestine as quickly. In addition, the artificial sweeteners in diet soda may not delay stomach emptying, so the alcohol travels straight through to the small intestine.
An earlier study found that men who drank vodka mixed with a diet beverage had higher blood alcohol levels than men who drank vodka mixed with a regular beverage. Using an ultrasound, the researchers showed that the regular drink delayed stomach emptying, but the diet drink did not.
Teens + Tobacco
Tobacco is a drug, and incredibly dangerous to people of any age. One of the saddest statistics is this: 90% of tobacco users started using tobacco when they were under age of 18.
Many teens see tobacco use as simple experimentation, rebellion or independence-seeking behavior. However, it is highly additive and often becomes a lifelong addiction. In fact, it only takes four cigarettes (on average) to become addicted. It can result in poor health, disease, decreased quality of life and an early death—not to mention it’s a very expensive habit!
Facts About Tobacco:
- Smoking is seen as not socially acceptable
- Smoking is not allowed in public buildings and worksites
- Tobacco isn’t really an “adult” activity, since very few adults smoke, and 85% of those who do, wish they didn’t
- Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the world, killing more people every day that fires, suicides, homicides, AIDS, alcohol, car accidents and other drugs COMBINED
- It is a very, very expensive habit
- Smoking is not a “rite of passage.” It is not safe to do at any age
- There is no such thing as moderate or safe tobacco use, even for adults
- The tobacco industry has manipulated the components of tobacco products to make it more addictive and to include many toxic and cancer-causing chemicals
Dangers:
- Coughing
- Yellow teeth and fingernails
- Brittle hair
- Early wrinkles
- Bad breath
- Infections
- Respiratory disease
- Early death
Teens + Marijuana
Besides alcohol, marijuana is the most popular drug of choice in the United States. Most drug use begins with marijuana, and leads to more serious drugs. Users smoke it, roll it in cigarette papers, hollowed-out cigars (blunts), pipes or water pipes (bongs). it can be mixed with food (brownies) or brewed as a tea.
Bienville Parish Teens and Marijuana Use
According to the 2014 Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey in Bienville Parish:
- Approximately 8% of Bienville Parish high school students used marijuana in the past 30 days.
- 10.4% of students in Grade 8 as compared to 29.8% in Grade 12 have used marijuana during their lifetime, indicating that use typically increases with age.
There are now studies that show how marijuana can have long-term negative effects on the brain. For example, researchers at Northwestern University explored the relationship between the casual use of marijuana and the brain changes for young adults. The used magnetic resonance imaging to analyze different parts of the brain. Those who used cannabis just once or twice a week showed significant abnormalities in two significant brain structures. The areas that were affected are the ones responsible for prrocessing emotions, making decisions and motivation. Just occasional use can cause damage to these pretty important parts of the brain.
Researchers believe that casual marijuana use among teens can also result in a motivational syndrome, a psychological condition that can cause people to become less oriented toward their goals and purposes in life.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Just because you can buy over the counter drugs legally, doesn’t make them safe. It’s easy for kids to get their hands on over-the-counter drugs at pharmacies, grocery stores or convenience stores. You don’t need a prescription, and they’re not expensive. Most of the pills and liquids that are abused are used to treat symptoms of common colds, headaches or pain. When taken as prescribed on the packaging, they are safe. But when they’re taken to get “high,” it can be very dangerous, and even deadly. Oftentimes kids mix OTC drugs with alcohol, which is even more dangerous. It’s important to talk to your teens about your expectations and consequences, because when you talk, they listen.
Slang Terminology: Candy, C-C-C, drex, DM, red devils, triple C, robo, rojo, skittles, tussin, vitamin D and velvet.
Symptoms:
- Impaired judgment and mental functioning
- Loss of coordination and dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hot flashes
- Numbness of fingers and toes
- Hallucinations
- Dry, itchy skin
- Mood swings and changes in normal habits or appearance
Dangers:
- Dangerous reactions with other medications or alcohol
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Permanent liver or brain damage
- Seizures
- Death
Prescription Drugs
What You Should Know About Prescription Drug Use
Drugs are chemicals, designed to change the way our body works. They come in many forms: pills, injections and inhalants—but the goal is the same: to get the drug into your bloodstream. In order for a drug to be effective, a doctor must prescribe it taking into account your health history, weight, age and body chemistry. It must be determined how much you need, how often you need it, and the conditions needed to ingest or administer the drug.
Drugs can intensify or dull your senses, alter your body chemistry and even affect the way you make decisions. To take a drug without a prescription is incredibly dangerous. To take multiple drugs without prescriptions is playing with fire.
Some kids think it’s fun to take drugs and have “pharming” parties, where everyone brings prescription drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets and shares them. Often, they take more than one kind of pill at a time, not knowing if there will be a dangerous reaction between the drugs, or even if they are taking something they could be allergic to! This is a very dangerous practice, which can result in side affects like vomiting, elevated heart rate or blood pressure, unconsciousness and even death.
Never take a pill or medicine that hasn’t been prescribed for you. If you take drugs when you are healthy, they can make you sick.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are stimulants that come in pills or tablets, and can be ingested or snorted. They are often prescribed as diet pills, as they accelerate functions in the brain and body.
Slang: speed, dexies, uppers and bennies.
Symptoms:
- Increased heart rate and breathing
- Elevated blood pressure
- Sweating, shaking, headaches, blurred vision, sleeplessness
- Diarrhea (never pleasant!)
- Intense feelings of power, alertness and energy
Dangers:
- Can cause hallucinations and intense paranoia
- Very psychologically addictive
- Withdrawal symptoms include aggression, anxiety and intense drug cravings
- Intense mood swings
- Diarrhea (yuck!)
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that enhance brain activity. They include Adderall, Dexadrine and Ritalin. They are traditionally used to treat narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and short-term treatment of obesity. Abusers swallow them or inject them.
Symptoms:
- Increased alertness attention and energy
- An intense sense of well being
- Heartbeat races
- Quicker breathing
- Can create feelings of hostility or paranoia
Dangers:
- Increases blood pressure and heart rate
- Constricts blood vessels
- Increases blood glucose
- Increases breathing
- Heart attacks and seizures
- Dangerously high body temperatures
Sedatives and Tranquilizers
Nembutal, Valium, Mebaral, Quaaludes and Xanax are just a few of the depressants kids are using. They’re used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks and sleep disorders. They slow down brain activity, resulting in a drowsy or claming effect. They are pills that are swallowed or injected.
Symptoms:
- Slurred speech
- Shallow breathing
- Sluggishness and fatigue
- Disorientation and lack or coordination
- Dilated pupils
- Higher doses cause memory impairment, irritability and paranoid and suicidal ideation
Dangers:
- Can slow breathing
- Can slow heart and respiration, leading to death
- Highly addictive
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Use can lead to seizures
Illegal Drugs
Drugs: Having Fun or Playing with Fire?
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There’s a lot of pressure on kids today—to perform well in school, to excel at sports, to get into a good college. There’s also a lot of pressure for kids like you to experiment with alcohol and drugs. You’ve probably already been offered a drink of alcohol at a party. Or maybe a friend wanted you to try marijuana or some other drug.
They may tell you it’s harmless to have a beer or a hit off a joint—that it’s no big deal. But before you decide they know more about it than you do, it might be a good idea to find out the real facts. When you know the facts, it’s easier to make a decision that’s right for you, and not one made because of peer pressure.
Kids today are trying alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, inhalants and even abusing over-the-counter drugs. And sometimes it might feel like “everyone’s doing it.” The fact is most young people in Bienville Parish don’t do drugs. And fewer kids drink alcohol than you think. It’s time to arm yourself with information and make your own choice.
If you have questions, ask your parents, or a trusted friend or adult. Do research on the internet. There are lots of ways to get the information you need in order to make important decisions about your life.
Spice/Synthetic Marijuana
Spice is a mixture of herbs that is marketed as a “legal” alternative to marijuana, even though it is labeled as “not for human consumption.” It consists of dried, shredded plant materials and manmade chemicals that cause mind-altering effects. It’s commonly referred to as K2, Fake Weed, Yucatan Fie, Skunk and Moon Rocks.
For the past few years, it’s been available through head shops, gas stations and online distributors. Because it has a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit, the DEA has made it against the law to sell, buy or possess. It is the second most popular drug among high school seniors, next to marijuana. Some Spice products are sold as incense, but it looks like potpourri. Spice is usually inhaled or prepared as an herbal tea for drinking.
Symptoms:
Many users report experiences similar to marijuana. It creates a relaxed feeling and changes in perception. Other symptoms include extreme anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations. Spice abusers have also experience fast heart rates, vomiting, agitation, high blood pressure and confusion.
Dangers:
This drug is so new, the medical community is still learning how it affects the brain. The chemicals in Spice attach to the same nerve cell receptors at THC, which is the mind-altering component of marijuana. Some of the chemicals found in Spice are stronger than marijuana and can lead to stronger and less predictable effects. It is possible that there are harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixtures, but more research is needed.
Molly
Rappers are rapping about it, singers are singing about it, and chances are, where there’s music, you’ll probably find young people doing Molly, a new synthetic Ecstasy-like drug that’s growing in popularity nationwide. Not to be confused with Ecstasy, the “love drug” of the 80’s, Molly is mixed with methamphetamines, acid, caffeine and other unknown drugs, depending on the pseudo chemist that mixes up the batch. Not knowing what the drug is tainted with can be dangerous, especially if the user has a mental health issue or mixes the drug with alcohol or other substances.
It causes muscle tension, tremors, severe dehydration, high heart rate, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating and blurred vision. But to those who use it, it enhances the music experience and even make touching feel like a blissful experience.
However, bliss is not what’s going on. More and more users are ending up in the hospital, or even dying. In 2013, two people died at New York’s Electric Zoo Festival, closing the festival down.
What you should know about Molly:
- It’s easily available
- It’s inexpensive compared to most other drugs
- The name “Molly” also makes it feel less scary to try to teens
- It’s quickly growing in popularity. Twelve percent of 18-25 year olds in the U.S. have used Molly, according to a 2012 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
- There was a 123% increase in hospitalizations between 2004-2009, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Rock stars and rappers are glorifying Molly in lyrics, which also convinces teens that it’s “cool” and safe to use
Bath Salts
Bath salts contain manmade chemicals related to cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant that’s found naturally in the khat plant. It’s a white or brown crystalline powder that’s sold in small plastic or foil packages and labeled “not for human consumption.” Bath salts are usually swallowed, inhaled or injected and are most dangerous when snorted or injected with a needle. It can be labeled as jewelry cleaner, plant food or phone screen cleaner and is available on line or in drug product stores under names like Ivory Wave, Bloom, Cloud Nine, Lunar Wave, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning and Scarface.
Symptoms:
Bath Salts create an energizing and agitating effect. It can create feelings of joy and increased activity or energy, and can raise the heart rate and blood pressure. It’s considered a “cheap” substitute for amphetamines and cocaine, but can raise the brain dopamine level 10 times higher than cocaine. Users experience hallucinations similar to those of MDMA or LSD.
Dangers:
Bath salts have been linked to a high number of visits to emergency rooms and Poison Control Centers across the country. Users have needed medical attention for heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney failure, chest pains, paranoia and panic attacks. It can also lead to dehydration. It has a high rate of addiction, similar to that of methamphetamines, including strong withdrawal symptoms.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is most commonly known as “meth”, and is a powerful, addictive stimulant. It can be swallowed, snorted, injected or smoked. It’s also known as crank, speed, ice, crystal, chalk, crypto, fire and glass.
Symptoms:
- A euphoric rush, especially when smoked or injected
- Highly addictive. Users crave more meth more often
- Tolerance is developed quickly
- Intense delusions, like bugs crawling under the skin
- Development of violent, aggressive behavior over time
- Weight loss, loss of muscle tone and tooth decay
- After use, users experience a “crash,” including fatigue, anxiety, depression and confusion
Dangers:
- Chemicals used in making meth are dangerous to people and the environment
- Prolonged use can cause psychosis and permanent brain damage
- Can cause convulsions, auditory hallucinations, irregular heartbeat and insomnia
- Results in depressions, anxiety, fatigue, extreme aggression
Cocaine and Crack
Cocaine is made from the dried leaves of the coca plant, and is a white, crystalline powder. Cocaine is inhaled or injected. It’s known as coke, snow, blow, nose candy, big C and white.
When cocaine is heated over a flame and combined with other substances like water and baking soda, the result is crack, named for the crackle the heat causes. It comes in white or tan pellets. It’s known as freebase or rock, and is smoked.
Symptoms:
- Cocaine elevates the heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and body temperature
- Both provide a burst of energy, Can cause jitteriness, dry mouth and teeth grinding
- It’s a powerful stimulant that shocks the central nervous system for 15-30 minutes if snorted, and 10-15 minutes if smoked
Dangers:
- Highly addictive. Creates physical and psychological cravings
- Injecting cocaine increases risk of infection of hepatitis or HIV through shared, dirty needles
- Snorting cocaine can create holes in the lining of your nose, or chronic nasal dripping
Ecstasy (MDMA)
Ecstasy is a “designer drug”, made by foreign or “underground” chemist. It’s available in powder, tablet or capsule form and is swallowed or snorted. It combines a hallucinogenic with a stimulant and intensifies all emotions. Also known as X, XTC, Adam, E, Roll.
Symptoms:
- A tingly sensation of the skin
- Increased heart rate and raised body temperature
- Dry mouth
- Can cause cramps, blurred vision, chills or sweats and nausea
- Users tend to clench their jaws while using. Many teens or young adults chew on things like pacifiers while on Ecstasy
- Can cause depression, paranoia, anxiety and confusion
Dangers:
- Can cause organ damage or death
- With chronic use, depression, paranoia, anxiety and confusion can become permanent
- Can cause fatal heart attacks and breathing cessation, even with one use
- Highly addictive, with intense physical and psychological cravings
Heroin and Opiates
Heroin is derived from the dried, processed liquid resin of the opium poppy. It can be in a powder form or a sticky, tar-like substance. The powder can range from white to dark brown in color. It’s injected, smoked or, in its pure form, inhaled. It’s known as Horse, Smack, Big H or Junk.
Symptoms:
- A euphoric burst of high feelings, followed by drowsiness, nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting
Dangers:
- Highly addictive. Users feel the need to take more heroin as soon as possible, in order to feel good again
- Heroin ravages the body over time. Chronic constipation, dry skin, scarred veins and breathing problems are just a few of the long-term symptoms
- If injected with a needle, users are susceptible to collapsed veins and exposure to infections through shared needles
- Easy to overdose on
- Extreme withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, vomiting and muscle pain
Pain Relievers
OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, Codeine and Demerol are used to treat pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea. They come in capsules or pills and prevent the brain from receiving pain messages. When abused, they are swallowed or injected.
Symptoms:
- Pain relief
- Feelings of euphoria or well being
- Drowsiness and slowed breathing
- Constipation
Dangers:
- Extremely addictive
- Severe respiratory depression that can cause death
- Severe withdrawal symptoms including muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting and cold flashes
- When combined with alcohol, antihistamines, or other substances, it can cause death!
Inhalants
Some kids inhale or sniff fumes of volatile substances from every day products like glue, spray paint and paint thinner. While the high can be quick and intense, it only lasts a few minutes. It’s often called “huffing.”
Slang: poppers, snappers, air blast, oz, moon gas, whippets, boppers, bullet rush and poor man’s pot.
Symptoms:
- Slurred speech
- Lack of coordination
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Hallucinations, delusions
- Loss in control, muscle weakness, muscle spasms and tremors
- Lingering headache
- Confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Leads to depression
Dangers:
- Inhalants are extremely toxic and very addictive
- They cause extensive and long-lasting damage to the brain and nervous system. It could affect your ability to walk, talk or even think!
- Inhalants can create liver, lung and kidney problems
- You can suffocate or asphyxiate, leading to permanent brain or other organ damage
- Because the high doesn’t last long, users continue to inhale repeatedly, trying to extend the high. This is very dangerous
- Inhalants can kill you the very first time you try them!
Resources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: Spice (Synthetic Marijuana). Bethesda, MD. NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Revised December 2012. Retrieved December 2012.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future. Data Tables and Figures. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. December 2012. Retrieved December 2012.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. DrugFacts: Synthetic Cathinones (“Bath Salts”). Bethesda, MD. NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Published November 2012. Retrieved December 2012.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future. Data Tables and Figures. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. December 2012. Retrieved December 2012.
Bullying
Bullying in America is on the rise. More than 160,000 students stay home each day for fear of being bullied—and millions more have to face their tormentors in school and social situations every day. In Weld County, nearly 1 in 5 students report being bullied at school.
But bullying doesn’t just happen in school. It can happen anywhere…at home, a sports event, concert, park, shopping center, bike trails, parking lots—anywhere kids and teens are.
There are also more ways than ever to bully someone, thanks to new technologies like social media, photo and video capabilities in cell phones and other sophisticated methods.
When bullying exists, everyone loses:
- Those being bullied have lower self-esteem, less confidence and increased fear, depression and anxiety. They can develop suicidal thoughts and perform worse in school and life.
- Bullies grow up to have a much greater risk of getting in trouble with the law. In fact, by the age of 25, one in four bullies will spend time in jail.
- Those witnessing bullying experience feelings of helplessness, fear and guilt.
What Is Bullying
We’ve all experienced or witnessed bullying before. It’s when one person intentionally harms or hurts another with words or behavior, and the one being hurt is unable to defend themselves. Bullying is also rarely an isolated incident. It’s often repeated, targeting the same victim, over and over again. The bully is usually older, physically bigger or stronger or has more social status. It can also be a group of kids who “gang up” on someone else.
Bullying can be:
- Physical—pushing, shoving, kicking, hitting, biting, hair pulling, breaking, damaging or taking possessions and inappropriate touching.
- Sexual—using words that demean someone about their gender or sexuality, unwelcome physical contact, inappropriate touching, posting inappropriate photos online.
- Verbal—teasing, calling names, threats, demeaning jokes, gossip, spreading rumors, slander and intimidation.
- Emotional—usually done by a group, rather than an individual. Includes leaving someone out on purpose, flying to hurt another’s reputation, humiliating someone publicly.
- Cyberbullying—using technology to bully someone, including spreading rumors through social networking sites or sending or posting mean messages, texts, videos, stories or photos that hurt or ridicule someone.
Warning Signs
There are many forms of bullying, and there are different signs that a friend or family member might be the target of a bully. If you see one or more of these signs, speak up. Ask your friend or family member if they are being bullied. Then, contact an adult who can be of assistance—a teacher, parent, older sibling, school counselor or family friend.
- Bruises, scratches and other physical evidence of abuse
- An increase in damaged or lost personal items or clothing
- Increased moodiness, sadness, depression or anxiousness
- Change in friends
- Change in sleep or eating patterns
- A change in school performance
- Physical complaints about headaches, stomach aches or other reasons to miss school or social activities
- Emotional withdrawal or talk about suicide
What You Can Do
Bystanders to bullying often aren’t sure what to do. They fear retaliation if they stand up for someone being bullied. They might be embarrassed to speak up, or just want to belong. But the truth is, it doesn’t take much to make a big difference in a bullying situation. Here’s what you can do:
- No matter what, don’t join in or encourage bullying. Your non-support sends a message that you don’t agree with what is happening.
- Help the victim of bullying. Choose to walk or stand with them so they are not alone. Let them know you don’t agree with what’s happening.
- Post a positive message on their social media site or let the bullies know you don’t think it’s right to make fun of people online. You can also report the online bullying and service providers will remove the post.
- If the bullying is violent, like a fight, don’t intervene. Find an adult or authority figure immediately.
- Inform your parents, teachers and school officials about the bullying.
- Talk to your friends and ask them to help stop bullying, too.
- Join or start a bullying prevention program at your school.
Resources
Find Out More
More and more people are speaking out about bullying, which means there’s lot of information out there. Here are a few of our favorite links that can provide more information, tips and advice about bullying.
www.stopbullying.gov
Suicide
Teens & Suicide
Teens today face more challenges and issues than ever. They can experience strong feelings of confusion, stress, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, transitions can be difficult, i.e. change of schools, loss of relationships, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and siblings, moving to a new community or a death in the family. These can be upsetting and create or intensify self-doubts. Often, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress.
Suicide among youth is more common than you might think: it’s the third leading cause of deaths among 15-24 year olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-14 year olds.*
Warning Signs:
- A change in sleeping and eating habits
- Withdrawal from friends, family and regular activities
- Drug or alcohol use
- Change in personality
- Frequent complaints and physical symptoms, like fatigue, headaches
- Frequent complaints about being a bad person or feeling empty or rotten inside
- Complaints about hallucinations or bizarre thoughts
- Boredom, loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- A change in personal appearance and hygiene
- Lack of belief in praise or rewards
- Becomes suddenly cheerful after a long period of depression
- Gives or throws away favorite belongings, gets all affairs “in order”
- Makes statements about wanting to kill self
- Obsession with stories or songs about suicide, or famous figures who have died or completed suicide.
