CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. School Bullying: What It Is and Why It Hurts
2. The Role of Bullies, Victims, and Witnesses
3. Factors Contributing to Bullying and Violence
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Treatment For Children and Adolescents
6. Prevention and Intervention
7. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Case Studies
Fact Sheets
References
Resources

The ABCs of Bullying
Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression

Who Can Use This Course

This online course is designed for professionals in education, health and mental health, and related fields, including social workers, school counselors, school nurses, teachers, and principals. Quizzes at the end of course modules allow course participants to gauge their learning against course objectives.

What Is Covered in This Course

The term "bullying" refers to a broad range of bullying behaviors that include physical, verbal, sexual, and other psychological actions such as intimidation and continual threats.

Research indicates that, in general, victimization rates decrease with age, but rates of bullying, while starting in elementary school (or earlier), peak in middle school, and may continue in high school in different forms. Because this course focuses on prevention, particular attention has been given to the problem of bullying in elementary and middle school. Prevention materials are intended for students in elementary through high school and for community-wide use.

The Resources section includes publications, telephone hotlines, Web sites, videos, and other materials that provide additional information on school bullying and other topics relating to violence. Listing of these resources is provided solely as a service; it does not constitute an endorsement by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is not responsible for the content found in these materials.

CEU Information

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for successful completion of this course from the following organizations:

• National Commission for Health Education Credential Inc. (4 CECH)
• National Association of Social Workers (4 CH)
• National Board of Certified Counselors (8 CH)

The course also is designed to help parents understand, address, and prevent bullying behaviors.

Acknowledgments

The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) gratefully acknowledges the expertise of Susan Limber, Ph.D., MLS, of Clemson University; Author SuEllen Fried, M.S.; Louise Peloquin, Ph.D.; LCSW, Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS); and Stephanie Bryn, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). All were intrumental in the content development and review of this course.