logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Beyond the Playground: Understanding How Bullying Drives Youth to Tragedy
A: Main, news
September 25, 2024
Beyond the Playground: Understanding How Bullying Drives Youth to Tragedy

Editor’s Note:

September is National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month and therefore we will be covering a critical and often overlooked issue: the alarming rate of suicides in rural Oklahoma. In this four-part series, we will delve into the unique challenges faced by our communities, where isolation, limited resources, and stigma can create formidable barriers to mental health support. Our goal is to spark conversation, inspire action, and offer hope to those in need. This is part four.

NATALIE GABBARD

In recent years, the tragic rise in youth suicides has ignited critical discussions about the role of bullying in young people’s lives. Research consistently shows a link between bullying behavior and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions among adolescents. This connection underscores the urgent need for a deeper examination of the environments—both at school and home—that contribute to these distressing issues.

The Bullying-Suicide Link

Studies have revealed that youth who experience bullying are significantly more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide compared to their peers. According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, nearly 20 percent of high school students reported being bullied, with a substantial number expressing feelings of hopelessness and despair. The emotional toll of bullying can be overwhelming. It erodes self-worth and creates an environment of fear and isolation.

Influencing Factors

The school environment plays a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of bullying and mental health. Schools that foster a culture of inclusivity and support can significantly reduce incidents of bullying. Conversely, environments where bullying is tolerated or overlooked can exacerbate the issue. A study from the National Center for Educational Statistics found that students in schools with strong anti-bullying policies reported feeling safer and more supported.

Equally important is the influence of home life. Children who experience bullying at school may also face challenges at home, such as family conflict or a lack of emotional support. The home environment can either serve as a refuge or add to the turmoil. When children feel unsupported at home, they are less likely to seek help for their struggles at school.

The Role of Community Intervention Programs Addressing the complex relationship between bullying and youth suicide requires a collaborative approach. Community intervention programs have emerged as a powerful means of tackling these issues, proactively. Programs that promote awareness, education, and support can create safer environments for our young people.

One notable initiative is the Safe Schools/ Healthy Students initiative, which brings together educators, mental health professionals, and families to address bullying and its effects. Through workshops and support groups, participants learn to recognize the signs of bullying and develop strategies for intervention.

Community involvement is essential. When everyone is engaged, teachers, parents, and students, and other community partners such as Boys and Girls Club, faith-based organizations, and substance use prevention organizations, we create a supportive network that can help prevent bullying and promote mental well-being.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), signed into law in June 2022, addresses some of the root causes of school violence, particularly the need to improve school climate, according to a report from the Center for American Progress.

The law authorizes and appropriates funding for schools and districts to use for mental health services, out of school programs, and community-based supports rather than for “hardening” schools by, for example, adding metal detectors, access control devices and armed security, the report states.

It provides $1.24 billion to expand access to school-based mental health services and $50 million to help schools more easily bill Medicaid for those services. It also includes additional funding for two funding streams in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965: $1 billion for Title IV Part A to improve school health and safety and $50 million for Title IV Part B to improve access to out-of-school programming, the report states.

Both funding streams can be used to support a variety of school and community-based programs that align with the goals of the BSCA, giving states and districts significant flexibility in determining how to best use the funds in their communities. Two specific ways that these funds can be used to improve the safety and climate of public schools include: Expanding access to school-based mental health services and investing in out-ofschool and after-school learning opportunities, the report states.

Hardening schools can have particularly detrimental effects on students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and other marginalized students. Research indicates that increased funding for school policing, metal detectors, and surveillance disproportionately impacts marginalized groups, often leading to higher rates of suspensions, expulsions, and interactions with law enforcement that disrupt their education, according to the report.

Rather than implementing hardening measures, state and local leaders should focus on fostering physically and emotionally safe environments for all students. They can utilize funding from the BSCA to support the overall well-being of communities and schools, emphasizing holistic approaches that enhance safety without infringing on students’ civil rights or disproportionately affecting marginalized groups, according to the report, the report states.

The COVID-19 pandemic, rising gun violence, and other sources of community trauma have intensified the youth mental health crisis in the U.S. In late 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in youth mental health. Importantly, the notion that mental health issues lead to violence is misleading; research reveals a complex relationship between mental health and violent behavior, and having a mental illness does not inherently predispose individuals to violence, according to the report.

This misconception can stigmatize mental health diagnoses and treatment.

Expanding Access

The rising mental health needs among youth underscore the necessity of accessible mental health care for students’ overall wellbeing and academic success. Research indicates that school-based mental health services serve as a vital entry point for students seeking mental health support, especially for students of color, those from low-income families, and those with public insurance, according to the report.

Currently, most states mandate schools or districts offer counseling services while some states mandate mental health services to students. However, many schools still lack sufficient access to mental health professionals, including counselors, psychologists, and social workers. In fact, 14 million students are enrolled in schools with law enforcement personnel but no counselors, nurses, psychologists, or social workers available, according to the report.

How to help

As awareness and acknowledgement of the connection between bullying and youth suicide grows, it is crucial for schools, families, and communities to prioritize mental health and safety. Creating a culture of open dialogue where young people feel safe discussing their experiences can be transformative. Additionally, implementing comprehensive anti-bullying policies and support programs is vital to fostering resilience among students, according to the Center for American Progress report.

By addressing bullying and its underlying causes, we can take significant steps toward safeguarding the mental health of our youth and preventing future tragedies.

Understanding the intricate relationship between bullying, mental health, and youth suicide is critical to fostering a supportive environment for our young people. Through dedicated efforts at home, in schools, and within the community, we can make meaningful progress in tackling these pressing issues and ultimately help ensure a brighter future for all students.

School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
A: Main, news
School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
September 17, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - Eufaula School Board President Jeff Pippenger and Checotah School Superintendent Monte Madewell were honored for their contribution to education during the annual Education Leadership ...
A: Main, news
Brace yourself for traffic disruptions
September 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin its long-awaited street project on Main Street (SH 9) in downtown Eufaula next week. An ODOT spokesman said traffic control will begin Monday, Sept...
A: Main, news
McIntosh is Candidate for 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma
September 17, 2025
Miss Janaya McIntosh of Eufaula is a candidate for the upcoming 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma pageant. The Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women (OFIW) pageants offer young Native American women a chance to...
A: Main, news
Ford holding food drive
September 17, 2025
Ford dealers around the world are joining together to conduct the World’s Largest Ford Dealer Food Drive, now through Sept. 25. The local dealership where you may drop off food is Sam Wampler’s Freedo...
A: Main, news
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 17, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament is just a week away, to be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd., Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at...
A: Main, news
POW/MIA Ceremony is Friday
September 17, 2025
On Friday, Sept. 19 the VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will host a dinner in honor of soldiers who have not returned home from battle. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Post dining room on SH 9 east.
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday
September 17, 2025
Don’t miss the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday, September 20. Come walk and show your support as locals bring awareness to suicide and how you can prevent it. “Being able to see the wa...
A: Main, news
Flag exchange drive
September 17, 2025
VFW Auxiliary 8798 would like to help you properly dispose of your worn out flags. We will exchange your worn 3x5 United States American Flag for a brand new one. Dates will be shared over the upcomin...
A: Main, news
Tribal Town Spelling Bee Sept. 27
September 17, 2025
The Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town and the MCN Language Preservation Program will host the 10th annual Mvskoke Language Spelling Bee Competition on Sept. 27 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Eufaula Indian Co...
A: Main, news
Suspect awaits sanity decision in Minner case
By MICHAEL BARNES 
September 17, 2025
When a June 10 headline shook the community—Selby Minner, beloved blues musician and cultural icon, found dead—the shock reverberated through Rentiesville and far beyond. The one arrested for her murd...
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
news
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
September 17, 2025
117 FFA and 4-H students from across the state convened at the Oklahoma State Capitol for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 4th Annual Capitol Camp held Sept. 3 – 4. The camp was an immersive twoday experien...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy