Counseling Resources
If you witness bullying or a hazing incident and someone is in danger call 911
Please note that te Be A Champion Foundation is not a reporting agency. If you or someone else is in immediate danger please immediately call 911.
Counseling Resources
The practice of bullying or hazing can result in serious mental health difficulties such as acute stress disorder, major depression, suicidal thining or even post-traumatic stress disorder. Due to the code of silence around the issue, however, there is every chance that a student suffering from hazing trauma may not be seaking about it.
One study has estimated that 1.5 million high school students every year are victims of bullying or hazing.
It is important, therefore, to be able to identify when it happens, to recognize the warning signs that someone may have been the victim, and to know where to go for help.
Identifying Hazing
One of the biggest problems with hazing is that the mos people who experience it do not realize it was hazing and do not know it was against the law. In fact, in one study, nine out of ten students who experienced hazing did not consider themselves to have been hazed.
Hazing comes in many forms and the legal definition may vary from state to state. Here is a desctiption used by scholars who study the topic: "Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degredaes, abuses, or endagers them regardless
Of a person's willingness to participate."
Below are a number of activities that are generally agreed to be hazing:
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Activities meant to 'earn' a place within an organization or team that seems inconsistent with the organizations values.
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activites that are embarrassing or mentally/physically abusive
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forced participation in abuse of alcohol
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Forced drinking of large amounts of non-alcoholic beverages
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enduring harsh weather conditions without proper cloting.
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personal servitude or meaningless tasks.
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forced performance of seual acts.
Look for the warning signs of bullying or hazing
Astudent who has ben the victim may not feel comfortable speaking about being bullied o hazed. One reason fo this is that the victis of bulyingor hazing can fear ostracism from the group if they report the incident. Therefore it is important to be able to recognize the warning signs in others.
Here are a few of the key things to look for that may indicate someone has been vicamized:
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Sudden change in behavior or attitude aer joining an organization or team
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Wanting to leave the organization or team with no real explanation
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Sudden decrease in communication with friends and family
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Expressed feeling of sadness or feeling of worthlessness
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increase in secrecy and unwillingness to share details
Where to go for help
Nearly every school, college, or university has free or nearly free counseling services for students. contact your own school's Counseling Services to find out how to take advantage of these services.
If you or someone you know is experiencing immediate psychological danger (such as suicidal thoughts, severe depression, or acute stress) please immediately dial 911.
