0800 What’s Up welcomes national discussion on bullying

0800 What’s Up welcomes national discussion on bullying

0800 What’s Up, the Barnardos-run counselling line for children and young people, is pleased to see an open national discussion taking place about bullying and what can be done to stop it.

With Stuff.co.nz opening up a debate on bullying and encouraging readers to share their stories, and teenager Nakita Turner’s amazing anti-bullying song One Voice sweeping social media, it seems that the movement to put an end to bullying in Aotearoa is gathering pace.

0800 What’s Up Manager Rhonda Morrison says, “Bullying is consistently one of the top concerns that children and young people call us about, and increasingly callers talk of bullying that does not just stop at the school gate. Bullying via mobile and social media can take over a child’s life and make it miserable. So it’s vital for adults to stand up for children and young people who are being bullied and not give up until the bullying stops and all children and young people are safe.”

Rhonda says, “To tackle this problem, we all need to take the issue of bullying seriously, and remember that although it might seem like ‘harmless’ behaviour or something that ‘happens to everyone when they are a kid’, for some children and young people bullying can be traumatic, isolating, and overwhelming.”

0800 What’s Up encourages children and young people who are being bullied to give them a call. “We can help work out a plan of action, and no problem is too big or small to talk to us about,” says Rhonda.

About 0800 What’s Up
0800 What's Up is a free, national phone counselling service for five to 18 year olds. It’s open 365 days a year from 1pm-11pm, and in an average year answers more than 100,000 calls – in fact, it’s the most accessed professional telephone counselling service for children and young people in New Zealand. More than 95% of the helpline’s funding comes through the generosity of New Zealanders who want to make a difference to children’s lives. To support 0800 What’s Up, visit www.whatsup.co.nz/grown-ups

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