Bullying Prevention Month: Do You Have A Story In East Hampton?

EAST HAMPTON, NY — National Bullying Prevention Month kicks off this October across the nation.

According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, every day, thousands of young people experience bullying from their peers while at school, after school in their neighborhoods, and even when they are at home, through social media and texts.

"There are many ways to support bullying prevention as an individual or with friends and family, and within your school or community," the center states on its website. (Learn some here)

Here's a sampling of what the East Hampton Union Free School District, which has been proactive in stemming the tide, says about bullying:

"East Hampton High School's Sources of Strength students and advisors work diligently in the school and community to provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength. Sources of Strength believes that many strengths are more powerful than one, and our united goal is to activate and mobilize these strengths in ways that positively change individuals and communities. All students who are interested in participating in Sources of Strength activities are in invited to meetings and to learn more about events. All students are invited to bring Sources of Strength to their clubs, teams, class activities, academic classes and most of all their families! All students are welcome.Sources of Strength promotes and focuses on connectivity, school bonding, peer-adult partnerships, and help seeking behaviors."

The East Hampton Substance Abuse Task Force also hosting a Cyber Bullying & Mental Health forum in May 8, where The Hope for Depression Research Foundation, a non-profit dedicated solely to fighting depression through research and education, presented a panel of to discuss the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression and its related mood and other emotional disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety disorder and suicide.

PATCH SERIES: DEALING WITH BULLIES

As part of a national reporting project, Patch has been looking at society's roles and responsibilities in bullying.

Do you have a story to tell? Email us at bullies@patch.com, or share your views in the comments.

This article contains reporting from the Patch national desk.

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