Guest Blog Post

We’ve all felt alone at times. We’ve all felt lonely. But for those who suffer through bullying, they may feel constantly alone and isolated because of the harsh negativity they face.

For many people, this feeling of loneliness and separation may have been increased over the lockdown period. Children who experience bullying behaviours may have lost their support system, whether that has been through school or through their friends.

This can create a further divide between children experiencing bullying behaviours and those around them, further enforcing the solitary and disconnected feeling that a bullying victim may face.

We’ve all been able to witness the positivity that a strong sense of union can bring throughout the major events of this past year. The coming together of groups has the opportunity to have a massive impact when everyone is sticking together. A sense of connection and togetherness can help get rid of the divide in our society.

So this year the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum is asking us to be United Against Bullying. Being aligned together to face bullying can remind everyone that they are not alone and forces them to see that they have a strong support system willing to help. Bullying can be stopped through the collective support of everyone, such as schools, children and adults. All of us have our individual roles to play in dismantling bullying.

I encourage you to do your part and help out. Be United Against Bullying in your own life. Give extra support to a friend or someone in your class who you know is having a hard time. Don’t encourage your classmates and friends to pick on someone else and don’t get involved. Participate in anti-bullying activities like Odd Socks Day. And most of all, be kind.

By being United Against Bullying, I hope that we can come together to celebrate our diversity while also coming together to help reduce bullying. For those out there who are suffering silently, know that you are not alone and we are in this together. Through our collective voice, I hope that we can encourage schools to build a better support system for vulnerable pupils and actively discourage bullying within classes. I am also hopeful that we will be able to encourage individual responses and to let people know that through shared ambition we can help end this together.

We’re all a piece in the puzzle, and together, we’re united against bullying.

Bronagh Close

Bronagh is a 16 year old AS student. She is passionate about human rights which encouraged her to join the NICCY Youth Panel where she is able to get involved in a range of projects that allow her to express her passion, including being involved in the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum