Please turn over the paper in front of you and take time to

read the three stories of bullied youth. When you are

finished reading please turn it back over.

30% of all students report being involved in bullying on a regular basis, either as a victim or a bully.

77% experience verbal bullying, of which 14% report it having a negative effect on their mental health.

Negative effects include depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, and even suicidal thoughts.

LGBT youth frequently are bullied the worst.

9 out of 10 report being bullied at school in the past year.

Afraid of being outed, most are afraid to seek help, leaving many feeling alone, hopeless, and scared.

Many schools are not taking the bullying epidemic serious enough.

Many want to help, but they lack the resources/training.

As a result, victims of bullying remain virtually helpless.

Refer back to the three stories on the paper in front of you.

Committed suicide on September 29th, 1998.

He was 13 years old. His parents took the school district to

court, resulting in a $140,000 settlement.

Killed himself on September 28th, 2010. He was 13 years old. After his death, the Departments of

Justice and Education conducted an investigation.

As a result, the school was required to implement stronger anti-bullying measures.

Committed suicide on May 13th, 2010. He was 11 years old. In response, his parents started the Stand

for the Silent anti-bullying movement, traveling the country and speaking to schools about the dangers of bullying and what can be done to lessen it.