Whether its for elementary school kids, middle school, high school, or college students or adults, dealing with difficult people or difficult social interactions or situations is a challenge.
Getting along with our fellow humans is one of the most challenging areas of most people’s lives. For middle and high school students it can often be a life or death struggle.
Over 10 years ago I was shocked and dismayed to learn that a growing number of young people were taking their own lives in response to being bullied in school and online.
I know for a fact these kids did not want to die. They wanted the pain they were feeling to end.
One story in particular struck home to me. Tyler Clementi, a freshman in college was video taped by his roomate having intimate relations with another student. Upon discovering that his roomate had broadcast this to the internet Tyler was so upset that he jumped off the George Washington Bridge to his death.
The focus of the media was on how horrible his roomate was and how “We’ve got to stop these bullies.”
And Yes. What is roomate did was despicable and cruel.
However, I just felt in my heart of hearts that if I had been able to teach some of my personal state management tools to Tyler he might have been able to put it into perspective and reach out for some help and some support. I felt that if he’d had the proper tools for responding to adversity, he would have been able to choose life instead of ultimately being the worst bully ever to himself.
So I set out to create a program for schools, universities and workplaces that would empower people to handle the difficult emotions that often confuse, upset us and de-rail our ability to think rationally and resourcefully in high stress situations.
For more information check out my dedicated website: http://BullyingPreventionNow.com
Thanks!
– Mark
p.s. to get a free example of one of my best Bully Proofers click this button:
Bully Proof Teen