How+to+Help+a+Friend

Lots of us have witnessed bullying; even our friends being bullied. How do we react, though? What is the best way to help a friend who is being bullied?



It can be really hard to work up the courage to ask an adult for help. Maybe your friend doesn't want adult help, they either don't want any adults to intervene out of embarrassment or they do not want to make a big deal out of it...but your friend's **safety** should be a priority. If you are worried about your friend, you should tell a trusted adult. It doesn't have to be a teacher - it could be a parent, your friend's parent, anyone who can help. If you aren't ready to tell an adult yet or are looking for other ways to help your friend, there are many things that you can do, for example...


 * Talk to your friend, let them vent. Let them know that you care about them and support them.
 * Spend lots of time with your friend, cheer them up and make sure they feel included.
 * Just be there for them. Eat lunch with them, walk to your classes together. Little things like these can make all the difference and brighten someone's day.
 * BE SUPPORTIVE! This will help to build back up the self-esteem that the bully was harming.
 * Talk to your parents about your concerns; they've been there, they've done that, and they will have good advice for you and will be able to help.
 * Stick up for your friend. Be careful to not worsen the situation or put yourself in danger.
 * Don't bully back. You may be angry that someone is bullying your friend, but this doesn't give you the right to bully that person.

Looking for more info or ideas? Check out this [|site]. It provides lots of tips and hints for teens, parents, and educators. This is another great site, and should definitely be checked out if you have a free opportunity.