Port Stephens families urged to keep talking about bullying

FOR Port Stephens families, the end of Bullying No Way Week should not mean the end of conversations about bullying.

Parents, schools, sporting clubs and community groups are being encouraged to keep checking in with young people after new Kids Helpline figures highlighted the seriousness of the issue.

More than 627,000 students nationally took part in Kids Helpline’s Largest Anti-Bullying Lesson on 17 August, almost 30 per cent more than last year.

The lesson provided age-appropriate, practical strategies to help students recognise and respond to bullying, but yourtown kids helpline CEO Tracy Adams said those conversations needed to continue at home and throughout the community.

“But the conversation can’t stop when the lesson ends,” Ms Adams said.

“Children and young people need to know that when something is happening in their lives, whether it’s bullying or something else, they can reach out and someone will be there.”

For Port Stephens parents and carers, that could mean making a deliberate effort to ask children about what is happening at school, online, on the sporting field, and within friendship groups, and making sure they know where to seek help.

The need is particularly significant in NSW, which recorded the highest number of contacts to Kids Helpline of any state or territory between January and June this year, with 18,646 contacts.

NSW also accounted for 27 per cent of the service’s crisis interventions.

Nationally, Kids Helpline has responded to 1,512 bullying-related counselling contacts this year, while bullying remains the number one reason young people access information and resources on its website.

Of particular concern, one in eight young people seeking counselling support about bullying also reported current thoughts of suicide.

“We know suicide is complex and there is rarely one single cause,” Ms Adams said.

“What this data reinforces is why we need to reach young people early, give them somewhere safe to talk about what’s happening and support them before issues become more complex.”

The figures also reinforce why adults should not wait for a young person to raise the subject themselves.

Kids Helpline is available free and confidentially around the clock for young people aged five to 25, with qualified counsellors accessible by phone on 1800 55 1800 or through webchat.
As Ms Adams put it: “Supporting the wellbeing of young people is something we all have a role in. Governments have a role. Schools, families and communities have a role.”

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available anytime and for any reason. For over 35 years, children and young people in Australia have been turning to professional counsellors at Kids Helpline, no matter who they are or what they want to talk about.

Over this time, the service has responded to more than 9 million contacts.

For some young people, connecting with Kids Helpline has been a life-saving experience, while for others it’s

about practical help and emotional support at the critical moment they need someone to listen.

Young people seeking help can call 1800 55 1800 or via webchat at kidshelpline.com.au, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By Jacie WHITFIELD