UBH Denton Says Adult Vigilance is Key to Preventing Youth Bullying
Combating bullying starts with adults according to Dr. Nishendu Vasavada with University Behavioral Health of Denton. Adults must establish acceptable behavior for children and intervene when they suspect a child is being bullied.
Denton, TX, January 26, 2011 --(PR.com)-- To address the problem of bullying in Texas schools and among its young people, parents, educators, and other adults must be more vigilant in watching for bullying and immediately addressing it when it happens, University Behavioral Health (UBH) of Denton said today.
UBH Denton cited a 2009 survey of high school students in which 18.7 percent of Texas students – nearly one in five – indicated they were bullied on school grounds at some point during the year.
“The code of silence is a bully’s greatest protection,” says Dr. Nishendu Vasavada, corporate medical director of UBH Denton. “Stopping the cycle of bullying begins with parents and teachers. They need to recognize the signs that a child is being victimized by a bully, and they must also encourage children to stand up for themselves and others against bullies.”
This vigilance requires that parents stay actively involved in their children’s lives and watch for any indication that they are being bullied, or that their child is a bully. When they are taught values that include respect and kindness for others, children are more likely to resist bullying and come to the aid of other children who are bullying victims, Vasavada said. Also, to prevent a child from becoming a bully, a parent needs to limit exposure to violent TV programs, video games, and music that glorify brutal behavior and desensitizes children to violence.
Vasavada points out that bullying victims often become withdrawn, angry, or frustrated and may resist going to school. As their self-esteem falls, their performance in school is likely to decline. In more serious cases, they may experience depression or try to harm themselves. Physical signs such as bruising and scrapes may also be indicators of bullying.
For a bullying victim, the experience can lead to life-long mental health issues, including the inability to form healthy personal relationships, depression, and emotional instability. Parents of bullying victims should seek counseling for their child from a licensed professional with experience dealing with emotional trauma.
Bullies should also receive professional counseling, to turn them away from the behavior and help identify what is causing them to harass others, Vasavada says. Young people who bully are more likely to get into fights, drop out of school, vandalize property, smoke, and drink alcohol. Adults who were bullies as children often end up with criminal records, have trouble holding a job and are more likely to abuse their wives and children.
“The first step in bullying prevention is awareness,” Vasavada emphasizes. “Many adults view bullying as a ‘normal’ part of growing up, but that trivializes its impact. Bullying has life-long consequences for both the victim and the bully. Adults must be more vigilant in not only identifying and stopping bullying, but making sure both the victim and the bully get professional help.”
University Behavioral Health, part of Ascend Health Corporation, is a full service mental health and chemical dependency hospital serving all of north Texas. In addition to its work with young people, UBH Denton also offers specialty programs such as Breaking Free with Herschel Walker that treats patients with co-occurring issues such as depression and substance abuse; Freedom Care, serving active duty military members, as well as veterans, retirees, and their families; Exclusively Women, which helps women heal together and develop healthy lifestyles and coping skills to manage their emotional lives; and Minirth Adult Services, a faith-based program that merges professional counseling and Biblical principles.
University Behavioral Health serves a broad range of patients, from children as young as 5 through adolescents, adults, and mature adults. In all its programs, University Behavioral Health relies on evidence-based mental health care, in which evidence gained from scientific methods is applied to medical decision making in order to deliver the most positive outcomes.
About University Behavioral Health
University Behavioral Health provides a supportive, compassionate, and innovative private healing environment of patient-centered care for patients and their families. It is part of Ascend Health Corporation, a national behavioral healthcare company providing a full range of psychiatric services through private hospitals. University Behavioral Health serves the north Texas-Oklahoma region through hospitals in Denton and Carrollton. Private and confidential assessments are provided at no charge. Visit www.ubhdenton.com for more information.
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UBH Denton cited a 2009 survey of high school students in which 18.7 percent of Texas students – nearly one in five – indicated they were bullied on school grounds at some point during the year.
“The code of silence is a bully’s greatest protection,” says Dr. Nishendu Vasavada, corporate medical director of UBH Denton. “Stopping the cycle of bullying begins with parents and teachers. They need to recognize the signs that a child is being victimized by a bully, and they must also encourage children to stand up for themselves and others against bullies.”
This vigilance requires that parents stay actively involved in their children’s lives and watch for any indication that they are being bullied, or that their child is a bully. When they are taught values that include respect and kindness for others, children are more likely to resist bullying and come to the aid of other children who are bullying victims, Vasavada said. Also, to prevent a child from becoming a bully, a parent needs to limit exposure to violent TV programs, video games, and music that glorify brutal behavior and desensitizes children to violence.
Vasavada points out that bullying victims often become withdrawn, angry, or frustrated and may resist going to school. As their self-esteem falls, their performance in school is likely to decline. In more serious cases, they may experience depression or try to harm themselves. Physical signs such as bruising and scrapes may also be indicators of bullying.
For a bullying victim, the experience can lead to life-long mental health issues, including the inability to form healthy personal relationships, depression, and emotional instability. Parents of bullying victims should seek counseling for their child from a licensed professional with experience dealing with emotional trauma.
Bullies should also receive professional counseling, to turn them away from the behavior and help identify what is causing them to harass others, Vasavada says. Young people who bully are more likely to get into fights, drop out of school, vandalize property, smoke, and drink alcohol. Adults who were bullies as children often end up with criminal records, have trouble holding a job and are more likely to abuse their wives and children.
“The first step in bullying prevention is awareness,” Vasavada emphasizes. “Many adults view bullying as a ‘normal’ part of growing up, but that trivializes its impact. Bullying has life-long consequences for both the victim and the bully. Adults must be more vigilant in not only identifying and stopping bullying, but making sure both the victim and the bully get professional help.”
University Behavioral Health, part of Ascend Health Corporation, is a full service mental health and chemical dependency hospital serving all of north Texas. In addition to its work with young people, UBH Denton also offers specialty programs such as Breaking Free with Herschel Walker that treats patients with co-occurring issues such as depression and substance abuse; Freedom Care, serving active duty military members, as well as veterans, retirees, and their families; Exclusively Women, which helps women heal together and develop healthy lifestyles and coping skills to manage their emotional lives; and Minirth Adult Services, a faith-based program that merges professional counseling and Biblical principles.
University Behavioral Health serves a broad range of patients, from children as young as 5 through adolescents, adults, and mature adults. In all its programs, University Behavioral Health relies on evidence-based mental health care, in which evidence gained from scientific methods is applied to medical decision making in order to deliver the most positive outcomes.
About University Behavioral Health
University Behavioral Health provides a supportive, compassionate, and innovative private healing environment of patient-centered care for patients and their families. It is part of Ascend Health Corporation, a national behavioral healthcare company providing a full range of psychiatric services through private hospitals. University Behavioral Health serves the north Texas-Oklahoma region through hospitals in Denton and Carrollton. Private and confidential assessments are provided at no charge. Visit www.ubhdenton.com for more information.
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Contact
Dux Public Relations for University Behavioral Health
Kristine Tanzillo
903-865-1078
www.ubhdenton.com
Kristine Tanzillo
903-865-1078
www.ubhdenton.com
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