BULLYING
Bullying is a very serious concern gripping educational institutes around the world today. While schools adopt a zero tolerance policy, it is still exists.
Bullying involves repeated, unwanted, overt/covert acts of verbal/physical aggression, towards another child or group. This can lead to a lot of psychological trauma for the child, including lowered self-esteem, depression, eating disorders and in really serious cases even suicide.
At such an impressionable age, it is hard for the “bullied” to stand up for themselves. Getting the message that they are not “good enough”, children start to believe it. They are afraid of being judged as “weak” or being threatened, hence they don,t see the option of talking to their parents about it. To the bullied child it feels like a lose-lose situation. Hence, it is of utmost importance to talk openly and to educate your child about it. This includes telling them about the 4 types of bullying.
1)Verbal – (Teasing, writing mean messages, name-calling)
2)Physical-( Hitting, tripping, breaking things)
3)Social- ( Spreading rumors, leaving someone out)
4)Cyber-(Posting hurtful comments/pictures/videos)
Talking about this,lets them know that you’re there to help them. Be clear that bullying is unacceptable and no matter what the bully threatens, your child must never keep it a secret from you. Help them formulate solutions of how they can protect themselves right from the beginning.
Parents should keep an eye out for the following signs of bullying:
1)Unexplained bruises.
2)Books being torn or things missing.
3)Sudden mood swings, increased irritability, crying or the desire to “be left alone”.
4)Sudden nightmares, crying while sleeping or even bed wetting is a red flag.
5)Not wanting to go to school nor wanting to talk about school anymore.
6)Random complains of body aches or illnesses so as to avoid school.
7)Changes in perception of self and ability. Sudden thoughts of “I’m a loser”.
8)Talks of suicide or harmful behavior towards self.
Extinguishing bullying is as important as being able to identify it. To achieve this, it is necessary to create an empathetic and safe environment, where a child can immediately approach an adult for help. Taking assertive, quick and organized action towards the bully, would set an example and keep other bullies at bay. It would allow bystanders and other bullied children to come forward.Parents and Institutes must make it a goal to be vigilant and protect their children from this damaging experience.
If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.
Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.
Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.
She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.
She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.
Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.
Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.
Area of interest:
-
Psycho-oncology
-
CBT
-
Psychometric Assessments
-
Children, Adults and Family therapy
Qualification and Membership:
-
Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
-
Licensed by Community Development Authority
Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Area of interest:
-
Mood disorders
-
Anxiety disorders
-
Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)
Qualification and Membership:
-
MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
-
ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
-
ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
-
ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
-
ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
-
BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
-
ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
-
ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
-
BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
-
CDA) Licensed Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach:
-
At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
-
Anxiety disorders
-
Substance use disorders
-
Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
-
Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
-
Personality disorders
-
Cognitive disorders including Dementia
-
Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
-
Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
-
disorders and ADHD