Stand up against BULLYING

Raise funds good cause and spread the message of kindness

Being bullied can be devastating and, because of social media, it’s more invasive than ever before. Research shows that half of young people experienced hurtful or nasty online behaviour in the last year.

Northern Territory parents Kate and Tick Everett established the anti-bullying charity Dolly’s Dream, after their 14-year-old daughter, Dolly, took her life following sustained bullying.

Their aim is to create a kinder and safer world through education and support for young people and their families.

START A CONVERSATION

Many teens hide their experiences of bullying, so their family may not know something is wrong.

Psychologist Dr Charlotte Keating says it’s important to let young people know it’s not their fault if they’re being bullied.

‘The more we are prepared to have open, curious conversations with young people about bullying – what their beliefs about bullying are and its impacts, what they would do if faced with bullying… how they would want to deal with it – the greater the chance we will have to help them build resilience and skills to cope,’ she says.

DO IT FOR DOLLY

May 13 is Do It For Dolly Day and communities around the country will wear blue as they take a stand against bullying, while raising funds for Dolly’s Dream.

Visit dollysdream.org.au for more information.

‘All funds raised from Do It For Dolly Day go towards creating a kinder community by changing the cultures and behaviours around bullying,’ Tick says. ‘This includes supporting our online safety and anti-bullying workshops for students, parents and teachers.’

Anyone who needs support can call the Dolly’s Dream Support Line to speak to a trained counsellor at no cost. Call or text 0488 881 033.

QAt work recently, I had chest pain and palpitations which were severe enough for my colleagues to call 000. The ambulance crew were amazing. They took my blood pressure and checked out my heart and reassured me that it wasn’t an issue with my heart. They said I’d had a panic attack. It’s true that I’ve been under a lot of stress recently, but can anxiety really cause such severe symptoms?

A Yes, it can. It is not uncommon for people having a panic attack to think it is a heart attack. Your symptoms of chest pain and palpitations are typical of a panic attack. Other symptoms may include feeling lightheaded, having pins and needles in the hands, and feeling sweaty, nauseous or short of breath.