Bullying has hit home for him, says top doctor

“Be respectful. Be kind to one another.”

That was the message from the medical officer of health for Windsor and Essex County on Thursday after announcing publicly he's had to contact law enforcement after receiving harassing messages during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recognition of Bullying Awareness Week, Dr. Wajid Ahmed spoke about his personal experience and said threatening letters have been received by the region's health unit.

“I was bullied many times even before the pandemic, but now it has increased and forced me to report (it) to the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” he said during the Windsor-essex County Health Unit's virtual news conference.

During Bullying Awareness Week, which runs from Nov. 15 until Nov. 21, Ontario students, school staff, and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effects on learning and well-being.

Ahmed encouraged parents to have conversations with their children about acceptable behaviour online and off-line, and explain the possible legal and criminal consequences of bullying. Threats of violence, for example, can be categorized as assault or criminal harassment.

Ahmed said his eldest son, who is 13, “gets upset” when he reads “mean comments” being written online about his father.

“He feels that they don't have the right to do it. I use it as an opportunity to teach him what other people do is beyond our control,” Ahmed said. “It's inescapable, this bullying behaviour. The only thing we can change (is) the perspective of society, to learn to be kind.”

While it's “understandable” that people are frustrated and upset because of the pandemic, he said, “it is not okay to bully anyone, and if you feel you are being bullied, reach out for support — especially if it is threatening in nature.” It's OK to have a different opinion from others, “but that doesn't mean you can start challenging anyone and everyone about whatever they believe in and try to intimidate them in such a way” that silences them.

Separately, Ahmed said stigma around COVID-19 can lead to people hiding their symptoms or avoiding testing out of fear about what may be said to them if they are diagnosed, he said.