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?
When someone keeps being mean or hurtful to another person on purpose, even after being asked to stop. It usually involves an unfair balance of power (e.g., physicality, popularity, mentality).
Individuals are bullied due to being different, power imbalance, jealousy, or being viewed as a threat by the bully. It can be caused by differences in race, religion, sexuality, disabilities, height, weight, and other characteristics that would divided between an individual and the bully.
Myths & Facts About Bullying
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
Common actions the bully can be seen doing is...
- 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
Breaking the Cycle of Bullying
Bullying thrives when a person is repeatedly targeted, bystanders stay silent, and no one intervenes, allowing the cycle to continue. To break it, victims and bystanders must speak up, bullies need clear consequences, and communities must promote honesty and accountability. Small actions, like standing up for someone or reporting the abuse, can make a big impact in breaking the cycle for good.
Ways to Intervene a Bullying Situation
You can intervene safely by
- Directing action: Ask the victim if they're OK, be aware of negative or violent behavior, harmless approach, stick to exactly what's happened
- Distract: Interrupt the perpetrator, start a conversation that would direct the perpetrator away from their target, take the potential target to safety
- Delegate: If you feel like you might struggle with intervening, have someone else step in like a trusted adult or staff because the bully could feel threatened by more people
- Delay: If you feel that a situation shouldn't be intervened at a certain time, step away and check up on the victim later
What is Suicide?
Suicide refers to when someone feels so sad, hopeless, or alone that they don’t want to live anymore and try to end their own life. It’s important to know that help is always available, and no problem is too big to solve.
Suicide ideation refers to when someone has thoughts or feelings about wanting to die or not wanting to live anymore. These thoughts can be strong or happen a lot, but it’s important to remember that help is out there, and talking to a trusted adult can make things better.
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
Why Does Language Matter?
It's extremely important to have mindful language when discussing suicide, particularly in cultures where mental health is often stigmatized. For many Asian Americans, discussing suicide or emotional distress may be seen as 'shameful' or 'taboo', leading to silence around the topic of mental health.
Discussion means emphasizing how specific word choices can shape societal perception and reduce stigma. Mindful language provides alternative to common but potentially harmful terms, approaching with phrases that seem more compassionate and accurate.
How to Respond When Experiencing 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
Myths & Facts About Suicide
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.
Join CCBSP to connect, learn, and take action together to prevent bullying and suicide in Chicago communities!
Upcoming Workshops and Trainings for the community!
Resources
