Friendly schools’ bullying prevention research: Implications for school counsellors

Abstract

Bullying varies in frequency, intensity, duration and hence severity, and contributes uniquely and directly to mental health problems, with severe and long-lasting consequences. Almost a half of school-age students report being bullied in the past year. All school staff, especially school counsellors, are uniquely positioned to reduce student bullying through proactive primary prevention, early intervention, and treatment. However, given the intensity of schools, and counsellors’ limited time and resources, robust evidence is needed to guide their unique contribution to a whole-school approach to reducing bullying behaviour. Since 1999, a pipeline of 18 Friendly Schools studies, including seven randomised control trials, have developed and tested ways to build all school staff’s capacity to effectively target and deliver evidence-based strategies across the prevention, early intervention and treatment continuum to reduce harm from all forms of bullying behaviour. This article describes the implications of Friendly Schools’ research findings relevant and applicable to the work of school counsellors, as part of a whole-school approach to bullying prevention. These implications demonstrate the interconnectedness of actions of all members of the school community, and the need for a whole-school commitment to preventing and reducing bullying, to realise the important synergistic contribution of school counsellors.

The importance of prevention programs to reduce bullying: A comparative study

“…The three programs all aim to involve the entire school community with students always playing a central role, in line with Cross et al (2021) . Only the TEI program includes a structured training plan for families although some school using Mediation Teams intend to involve parents more directly in the coming academic years.…”

Still a rite of passage? A perspective on current therapeutic attitudes and interventions in relation to cyberbullying

“…However, evidence suggests that this largely excludes females, and the quality of these focus groups can be poor. Cross et al (2021) suggest that therapists are in a position to be trained to negate school bullying (primarily cyberbullying) by enacting deterrence, promoting mediation and facilitating adequate therapy.…”

“…Cross et al (2021) suggest that therapists are in a position to be trained to negate school bullying (primarily cyberbullying) by enacting deterrence, promoting mediation and facilitating adequate therapy. Arguably, training could provide therapists with an understanding of the intensity of time constraints and resource restrictions in academic institutions.…”

Strategi Unggul Konseling Pastoral pada Remaja dalam Hubungan Percintaan

“…Dalam implementasinya, konselor dalam konseling pastoral untuk remaja yang tengah menjalin hubungan percintaan di lingkungan komunitas remaja menerapkan pendekatan yang bersahabat dan melibatkan kunjungan untuk membangun hubungan (Cross et al, 2021).…”