According to dosomething.org, over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year. For the ­many young people who suffer from bullying, school can become an unpleasant and scary place. You should feel safe at school though; it’s a place where you can learn and spend time with your friends. If you are being bullied, you don’t have to suffer in silence. It’s really important to remember that there are ways of coping and stopping the bullying altogether.

Speak up about what’s happening
Bullying can take on many forms, including name-calling, physical bullying and cyber bullying, among many others. It’s so important to speak up about what’s happening, otherwise nothing can be done to solve the problem. There will always be someone for you to talk to. You could confide in your parents, friends, an older sibling or your teachers, for example. You are not alone.

If you find talking to someone you know tough, you could call a helpline such as Childline (0800 1111). Talking to people you trust for advice and support can work wonders. The saying “a problem shared is a problem halved” is often very true as once you’ve shared your problem, you are well on your way to making things better.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t deserve to be bullied; bullying is never okay, and no-one has the right to do it. So many young people believe the things a bully tells them about themselves are true. They aren’t. It is essential that you don’t lose your sense of self-worth and happiness. Make sure to spend lots of time with people who make you feel good and focus on the things that make you happy. Remember the things you love about yourself and try and stay positive through this difficult time. Don’t let the bullying take over your life.

It’s a good idea to try and stand up for yourself; no-one has the right to make you feel small, so being assertive is very important. The more you practise being assertive – that means saying how you feel without being rude or aggressive – the more confident you will get. Blocking the bully on social media, not responding to messages they send and avoiding them in school may also help. Bullies like to get a reaction from the people they are taunting. If you aren’t aggressive towards them and just ignore them, they aren’t getting a reaction, so they may stop what they are doing over time.

Tell-tale signs of bullying to look out for
If you’re a parent and you’re worried that your child may be being bullied, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. These include physical marks you can’t account for like bruises, a sudden fear of going to school, and changes in behaviour such as aggression or withdrawal. See www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-parents/how-to-spot-the-signs-of-bullying/ for more information.

If your child is being bullied, it’s so important to listen to what they have to say and support them, whilst reassuring them that it’s not their fault. Bullying is a growing problem, especially with the rise of social media. It needs to be stamped out, and we can all help to make a difference. If you want to make a change, visit www.bullying.co.uk.