About Our Program
MAHA's Bullying and Suicide Prevention Program, funded through the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Violence Prevention initiative. It aims to increase awareness, expand access to support, and strengthen intervention efforts across the city. This program aligns with CDPH’s Bullying Prevention Project (BP) goals by promoting effective strategies that improve community, public, and provider responses to bullying and suicide.
What is Bullying?
The repetitive coercion of harming another individual by another individual or group, where one dominates the other. The behavior could be psychological, verbal, or physical.
Verbal Bullying
Repeated use of verbal violence to harm or intimidate an individual. Examples include:
- Hurtful words
- Name calling
- Insults
- Threats
- Unconsented teasing
- Creating a hostile setting with words
Physical Bullying
When an individual uses their body or object to physically harm someone else intentionally. Examples include:
- Punching
- Pushing
- Kicking
- Theft or destruction of someone's belongings
- Spitting
- Bruising another individual
Social Bullying
The intention of harming someone’s reputation or relationships. Examples include:
- Excluding
- Spreading rumors
- Public humiliation
- Exposing someone's secret with the intention of harming them
- Gossiping
Online Bullying
Also known as cyberbullying, to harass or target people with behind a screen without receiving instant consequences. Examples include:
- Sharing embarrassing photos online
- Spreading rumors to instigate
- Sharing someone's private info online (doxxing)
- Making online threats to someone
- Impersonation
Signs That Someone is Being Bullied
- Invading personal space
- Turning friends in groups against the target
- Spreading false rumors about the target
- Actively excluding the target
- Humiliating or silencing the target in private or in front of others
Impacts of Bullying
- Withdrawing from usual settings like a workplace or school
- Isolation
- Afraid of setting boundaries
- Low self-esteem
- Signs of anxiety and depression
- Difficulties with self-care and/or sleep
- Disconnectedness from mutual relationships
Join CCBSP to connect, learn, and take action together to prevent bullying and suicide in Chicago communities!
What is Suicide?
Warning Signs of Crisis
- Self-harm
- Substance use
- Extreme mood swings
- Withdrawing from relationships with friends & family
- Taking dangerous risks
- Impulsive/reckless behavior
- Drastic change in eating or sleeping
- Making a plan or researching ways to die
What to do During a Suicide Ideation
- Don't make a decision today
- Avoid substance use
- Talk to a loved one
- Build a support system
- Reach out to a Crisis Lifeline
- Contact professional support
- Open up and be honest
- Be around other people
- Become aware of your triggers
How to Help Someone in Crisis
- Empathize with them
- Use "active listening" on them
- Recognize the warning signs
- Prevent them from isolating themselves and let them know they're not alone
- Take their statements seriously
- Trust your instincts
- Be non-judgemental
- Encourage professional help for the person
Are you experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about someone who may need support in crisis?
Call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat 988lifeline.org to get access to 24/7/365 crisis resources and confidential, free support from a trained professional.
