Protecting our children’s health by tackling bullying

Bullying among children has reached such critical levels that parents, educators and health professionals are sounding the alarm:  enough is enough.
 
The website, www.bullyingstatistics.org, defines child bullying as "a form of intimidation or domination toward someone who is perceived as being weaker. It is a way of getting what one wants through some sort of coercion or force. It is also a way for someone to establish some sort of perceived superiority over another person."

Now, a new study that shows that the effects of bullying on the physical body may be seen decades later in the form of low grade inflammation means that we have to take bullying very seriously. Inflammation is an underlying factor in most illnesses.  If you, or a loved one, has had to deal with pain, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, migraines, thyroid issues, dental issues or cancer – inflammation has a central role to keeping these illnesses going.

 

Sadly, many of us suffer from chronic low grade inflammatory conditions but have no way of eliminating inflammation, and anti-inflammatories do not treat the root cause.

Now, research which spanned decades on over 1400 subjects has shown a strong correlation between bullying and inflammation.  The studies found that victims of bullying had considerably higher levels of inflammation even decades after the events.  It is now thought that the cumulative effects of bullying permanently alter our  levels of the stress hormone cortisol.  People victimised over long periods have a blunted cortisol secretion in response to a laboratory social stress test.

This blunted response means lower exposure to the anti-inflammatory effects for victimised children.

This of course poses great concern for parents who are already worried about the long-term effects of bullying in their children. And for many of our children, bullying extends outside of the school as cyber bullying is now a common experience.

What can we do to help our children when we believe that they may be the victims of bullying?

We speak to Kate Fletcher, Counsellor at CHH to see what parents can do to help stamp out bullying:

What can we do to help our children when we believe that they may be the victims of bullying? We speak to Kate Fletcher, CHH Team member:

Kate Fletcher, Counselor

For me, I feel the most important aspect in regards to bullying is for the child to be heard and be given the opportunity to be able to work through their feelings and the experience of being bullied.  

Listening is key to helping the child feel heard, rather than feeling as if you must do something. By listening to them, you will help the child overcome their fear and find their own voice in the situation.  It is crucial for the child to be able to empower themselves to take action and do something.  When the child is ready then you can help them carry out their wish.  

 



It is really difficult as a parent as it is only natural to feel protective of your children, especially when you know someone is being cruel to them but by getting angry or making an even bigger drama, this may cause the child to feel even more scared.  Encouraging your child to talk is the best way to make them feel safe, as well as reassuring them that it is not their fault. 

 

Often children find it difficult to articulate themselves when faced with overwhelming feelings but parents can help them to find language to express themselves. 

Giving them language to try out to see if it fits, can often help to identify feelings.

To find out more about Kate's approach, visit: http://centre4holistichealth.co.uk/about-us/kate-fletcher/

Also, Coherence therapy has been found to be very helpful in empowering young ones that are the victims of bullying:

Scientific studies of Heartmath Coherence training have shown it to be highly effective in teaching children techniques for coherence, an optimal state in which the heart, mind and emotions are in sync and balanced. Emotional resilience is an important skill for children who are the victims of bullying and can help transform the situation.

Find out more by clicking this link:http://centre4holistichealth.co.uk/hrv-coherence-training/

By Charmaine Shepherd  B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC
Charmaine Shepherd is an Acupuncturist, Director of the Centre for Holistic Health and Author of Is it all in your mind? 10 Steps to Resolving the Underlying Causes of Anxiety and Depression. Available on Kindle!