Greater awareness needs to come from this. I have heard of cases where educators at the school involved will urge the person being bullied to learn resilience skills in order to cope with future bullying, while the behaviour of the protagonist is not addressed. This teaches the child that it is up to them, and them alone, to deal with the situation while the bullies keep doing what they do.
We need these young people to understand that there is help out there; that they can and should ask for help; that death is not the answer. While difficult situations can seem utterly insurmountable, we need to let them know that this isn't the case. There is a lot to the saying 'this too shall pass'. When it seems as though there is no end, we need to encourage them to understand that there is a way out; that there is hope; that all the positive potential of their future lies in front of them. Stand up, speak out, don't hide your feelings, seek help and find peace and support.
We need to teach our children kindness, tolerance, understanding and empathy so that they will never take on the role of 'bully'. Similarly, we need to let them know that we are here for them; that they can always ask for help. In this and other ways, we can teach them the skills to cope and seek support.
The following words are from a Facebook post. However, the source is unknown as it has been, annoyingly, cut and pasted without attribution. I have searched for the correct author but, after several hours, have come up empty-handed. Nevertheless, I wanted to include it here as the words are strong and succinct. If you are the author and can prove authorship, please let me know as I would like to be able to put a name to the piece. Here it is:
"In light of the recent suicide of teenage Libby Bell from South Australia, I feel it's my duty as a human being to try and make a difference, and would like to say this.
"I could not think of a worse feeling for the parents of this beautiful child... this is my absolute bone chilling nightmare and I would never be able to see light of day ever again.. never smile, never love... just exist within a shell of a body for eternity if this happened to one of my babies.
"To the teenagers reading this, your parents would fell the same way, whether they say it or not. Please hold on. the pain you feel should not be transferred to the ones who love you and care about you--you're better than that. You know what pain feels like. I know there may seem like there's no light..but there is. Fight back. Be heard. Tell someone. There's better life outside of school when you grow if you can just believe.
"To the ones who bully, or are part of a group that does- maybe you do it because you're scared you'll be targeted if you don't. Or maybe you do it because someone is different, or you do it because you don't like the person. Or maybe you don't even know why. But quietly, inside yourself,please realise that these outcomes are real and nobody knows which bullied victim will go that extra step.
"Here's the kicker. You have the power of choice, and that's very important. You CAN find a way to stop.. you can find a way to stop someone else's suffering. Please think of how they are feeling when theyre alone. Please think of how you yourself feel when you're alone. That person wants friends just as much as you do. Imagine.... be that person who will put yourself in others shoes. Because I promise you when you're my age you will absolutely detest what the immature, younger version of yourself did to someone else. Half the time every member of the group wants to stop the bully but doesn't know how. Be that person."
And this from the admins of Facebook page, Play and Go Adelaide:
"She was only 13. Her whole life ahead of her. We can't even imagine the devastation and heartbreak of her parents and family. The death of Libby Bell as a consequence of bullying says that perhaps we as a society have failed her. Let's end the bullying. Let's teach our kids kindness, to look out for one another, let them know that they can get help, that nothing is worth dying for, and life is so precious.
"Libby's uncle Clint Gow-Smith said teens need to know "It's cool to speak up" and to reach out to someone. “We understand schoolyard behaviour and what starts off as pointless teasing and ridicule, soon escalates to something more serious. So please, as a parent, hold your babies tight and for the teenagers, we plead for you kids to talk and walk tall.”
"If you ever need to talk to someone please call Kids Helpline Official on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14"
