Talk to highlight problems that lead to bullying

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Bonnie Black of Behavioral Health Services North. (P-R File Photo)

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October 12, 2009

By JEFF MEYERS The Press Republican Mon Oct 12, 2009, 01:21 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Bullying continues to be a growing problem in today’s society, but communities can work toward reducing potential conflicts between the bully and the bullied.

CVPH Medical Center, in conjunction with several area agencies and organizations, will host a presentation on bullying Wednesday, Oct. 21, designed to help parents and educators identify problems associated with bullying at school and in the home.

“We’ll discuss the definition of bullying, what a bullied child looks like and what a bully looks like,” said Bonnie Black from Behavioral Health Services North.

“We’ll talk about the symptoms of being bullied — nausea, headaches, suddenly not wanting to go to school.”

TECHNOLOGY EFFECT

The presentation will also look at how bullying has changed with the use of computers and the Internet and how it has become a problem that crosses gender lines.

“Bullying by girls is different than bullying by boys,” Black said. “Boys are more forthright and more physical. Girls can be much more subtle, and much meaner. It often flies under the radar of administrators, teachers and parents.”

Patricia Amo, principal of Stafford Middle School, will be on hand to present information on what the Plattsburgh City School District is doing to address bullying issues across the district.

Jay Miner from the New York State Police, who specializes in computer crimes, will talk about bullying online.

SCHOOL POLICIES

Laurie Williams from the Clinton County Health Department will provide an assessment on public policy she recently completed on bullying in the region’s school districts.

“I think what Laurie will show us is that there is not a lot of consistency in policies and procedures,” Black said. “In a way, that can mirror what also happens in the workplace, where people don’t always understand that bullying is a violation of the mandatory workplace-violence policy.”

DISRESPECT

Event organizers, who have been studying mental-health issues across the community for several years, hope to promote an atmosphere that educates the North Country about bullying and what can be done to reduce and prevent bullying.

“In a nutshell, bullying shows disrespect for students in school and disrespect for people in the workplace,” Black said.

“If we learn to treat each other with respect, then we can reduce bullying in the community.

“We have to get bullying out into the open. We have to talk about it, talk about what is appropriate and responsible behavior.”

It’s a problem that impacts everyone in one way or another, she added, noting that children and adults can be victims of a bully.

Participants will also receive educational materials they can take home and back to school to help improve recognition of situations that may promote bullying.

“It’s all about community awareness,” Black said. “Let’s recognize both the victim and the bully alike.”

E-mail Jeff Meyers at:

jmeyers@pressrepublican.com

TO ATTEND

“Bullying: Every Family’s Problem” will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the West Side Ball Room, New York Road near Seton High School. The presentation is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by calling 562-7320.