A girl in my class is constantly being bullied because
she's overweight. Is there anything I can to do help her?
-
Diana*
With bullying, the most important thing to keep in mind is
safety. Though you might not want to tell on a bully, if you think
your classmate is in physical danger, contact an adult
immediately.
One of the most helpful things you can do is to try talking to
your classmate to see what's going on. To a person being
bullied, just knowing that someone else is supportive and willing
to listen can make a big difference.
You might be able to help your classmate boost her self-esteem
so she can react to the bullying in a healthy way. Certain tactics
may help stop bullies, like ignoring them, using humor, and not
resorting to violence. You can also step in if you hear others
bullying your classmate and stand up for her by telling them
that the way they're treating her is wrong.
For more on this topic, check out the box below.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: August 2006
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*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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