Kirtland agencies gang up on bullying

  • Published
  • By Jim Fisher
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  A group of experts from Kirtland's Integrated Delivery System group is looking at ways to raise awareness and prevent bullying across the installation.

Because of the negative impact of bullying behavior, individuals from the Kirtland Youth Center, Child Development Center, Albuquerque Public Schools, the 377th Medical Group and other helping agencies in Kirtland's IDS group are focused on addressing the issue.  Many of these organizations have developed ways to help people identify what bullying is, its effect, and to provide further information on how to stop it.

"This is a topic we have discussed in order to make sure people have access to the resources they need to combat the problem, and in the hope that our schools, youth center and helping agencies can eliminate bullying on Kirtland," said Teresa Reinhard, community support coordinator. 

Bullying, according to the American Psychological Association, is a type of repetitive aggressive behavior which causes injury or discomfort to a victim who has done nothing to provoke the behavior. The behavior is not limited to the school yard, or to children. Bullying is something that can occur in a number of different settings and between people from any age, background or profession. It is something that can happen in the classroom or the boardroom, according to the APA.

While the scenarios where bullying can take place are varied, the impact of bullying is more specific, according to Chrisan Smith, Kirtland's Family Advocacy Outreach Program Manager.

"Bullying can and does affect our idea of self and self-worth," she said. "It erodes confidence and even the strongest personality can be worn down over time. The effects of bullying often last well past the actual behavior."

It also has the effect of inhibiting students and employees from being successful by creating a hostile environment in which to work or study, and can have an especially dire outcome for children, Smith explained.

"Bullying results in a child not wanting to go to school or go out to play or attend social functions.  It can have tragic consequences as we've seen, resulting in both homicide and suicide," she said.

Experts in the behavioral health fields have pinpointed the reasons people bully.

"It is a way of feeling superior to others.  Pointing out the faults of others distracts from examining my own," Smith said. "It can also elevate social status by aligning yourself with the 'popular' or 'powerful' person."

For those interested in knowing more, the Youth Center will host a seminar on the subject Jan. 21 at 2:30 p.m. The seminar, titled "Bully No More," will be conducted by Jennifer Davis, military and family counselor.

The seminar is for parents and designed to offer insight on how to discourage bullying behavior in children. But Smith said adult behavior is also a key when addressing bullying issues with children.

"As adults, we need to examine our own behavior and see what type of message we are sending to our children," Smith said. "Do we treat others with respect and empathy, or do we go home and boast about putting that coworker in his place?"

For more information about the seminar, call the Youth Center at 853-5437.