Supporting your child through bullying
Being bullied has many effects on children. Learn how you can support your child when they are bullied. If someone is struggling, there are ways to get help.
If your child is bullied
- Understand the school’s bullying policy. Be prepared to talk to and work with your child’s school officials.
- Don’t encourage your child to fight back. It may put them in further danger.
If your child is bullying others
- Talk to your child. Teach them that bullying is wrong and harmful.
- Seek help. Talk to your school counselor.
- Contact one of the DPH bullying prevention sites.These sites can connect you to support for your child to stop their bullying behavior.
Learn more about ways to stop your child from bullying.
If your child sees bullying
Ask them to:
- Say something, if it feels safe to. They can try, “Stop, don’t bother him/her/them,” or can remove the target of the bullying by saying, “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
- Report the bullying. Either to you, to an adult at school, or anonymously (without sharing their name)
- Be a friend. Encourage your child to include the person being bullied in social activities.
If your child is still being bullied
You can contact:
- The school district superintendent
- The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
- State Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
How to help someone who is struggling
If there has been a crime, or someone is at immediate risk of harm or in immediate danger
Call 911.
If someone is feeling hopeless, helpless, thinking of suicide
To talk to someone now, call or text 988 or chat with 988 Lifeline Specialist online.
- For Spanish speakers, call 988 and then press 2 or text AYUDA to 988.
- For people who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
- You can also use 988 Videophone
Learn more about 988, a free and confidential support resources are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also call the Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: call 1 (866) 488-7386, text 678-678, or chat with a crisis counselor online.
For trans peer support connect with the Trans Lifeline: call 1 (877) 565-8860.
If you see warning signs of mental distress from bullying
If someone is acting differently than normal, such as always seeming sad or anxious, struggling to complete tasks, or not being able to care for themselves, they may need mental health care.
Contact the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL). You can chat online or call or text 833-773-2445. BHHL is here to connect you directly to clinical help when and where you need it, even if you’re not sure what kind of help or treatment you or a loved one may need.
Resources to help support your child
- The Bullying Prevention Program provides tips for caregivers, educators, friends and community-based organizations with information about bullying and bullying prevention strategies which can help to create an environment where the entire school community works together to stop bullying.
- The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has bullying prevention and intervention information at Bullying Prevention and Intervention at Bullying Prevention and Intervention – Students and Family Support.
- The Attorney General’s Office has developed a Q&A guide for parents. You can also learn how to combat hate in your child's school.
- Gay Lesbian Straight Educator Network (GLSEN) works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.
- Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is one of the largest organizations in the U.S. dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones.
- McLean Hospital supports young people by giving them the skills they need to be successful in managing their mental health.
Mental health and bullying
Learn how bullying impacts mental health in children and teens. Discover tools and support options to help young people heal and grow stronger.
What teens can do to prevent bullying
Bullying is a serious issue, but teens have the power to make a difference. Learn what you can do to make people who are bullied feel safe.
Bullying research and statistics
Learn more about bullying across the state of Massachusetts. Understanding the prevalence, causes, and impact of bullying is key to creating safe, supportive environments for all youth.