Editor:
Bullying and cyberbullying are extremely common in classrooms, leaving a lasting impacts on students.
Bullying can take many forms, from physical and emotional. Classroom environments are learning places and educational system needs better enforcement to protect students as well as better classroom management.
When I was in school, I used to get bullied and this impacted me tremendously as teachers many times were powerless themselves, as well due to large classes where instructors struggled to maintain order.
Bullying and especially cyberbullying leave an emotional impact on young kids, especially their self-esteem and self-worth and their ability to properly socialize in a healthy way. Many times, the people who bully suffer mental health issues such as aggression and domestic violence and abuse themselves.
The victims of cyberbullying and bullying in general struggle from mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, OCD and this leads on many occasion to alcohol and drug abuse in schools.
When I was in school I witnessed how many friends themselves were bullied and had substance abuse issues due to anxiety and panic attacks.
I strongly feel more needs to be done to help students as well as the educational system should have mandatory classes on mental health issues as well as bullying prevention and more mental health resources for students.
Brian Jones
