Addressing Cyberbullying
Guest Post By: Melyn Huntley, Project Director, Safe Schools/Healthy Students
“People bully me. I want to die.”  The words echoed in the mind of the parent who found the crumbled note in her daughter’s room.  Words of desperation cried out for help.  How do you help her?  How serious is the threat?
Protecting your child is critical.  Today with online communications, a bully can follow their victim home to the aloneness of their bedroom.  If your child should become a victim of bullying, there are several things you should do.

Believe …

Written By: Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator
Health care is one of the most prominent subjects in our nation’s discourse. When our discussions turn to substance abuse, one thing is abundantly clear – substance abuse prevention leads to better health.
 As we celebrate National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, we need to keep in mind that:

Nearly 17 million people aged 12 or older are classified with alcohol dependence or abuse.[1]
Alcohol consumption is associated with approximately 79,000 deaths per year.[2]
Approximately 23 million Americans are current illicit drug …

Written By: Frances M. Harding, Director, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
  October is Bullying Prevention Month and National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, a busy and important time for prevention efforts.  On the surface, bullying and youth substance use may seem like separate problems.  However, from research, we know that youth who use substances are at risk for other problem behaviors during their teen years.  In fact, new findings suggest that middle and high school students who bully their peers are more likely to use alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana.
Bullying and substance use …

Written By:   Ingrid Donato, Branch Chief, Mental Health Promotions Branch & James Wright, Public Health Advisor, Division of Prevention, Traumatic Stress and Special Programs
Bystanders have the power to play a key role in preventing or stopping bullying. Their actions make a critical difference. Every day, kids and adults witness bullying. They want to help, but don’t know how. Fortunately, there are a few simple, safe ways that those who witness bullying can help:
Be a friend to the person being bullied.
Being friendly can go a long way toward letting a child who …