Neutral-Corner, Inc.

In middle and high school peer relationships take on increased importance. Adolescence is both a difficult and exciting time - children are experiencing biological, cognitive, social and emotional changes and challenges. For many these transitional years prove to be [socially difficult]. Teens who are different physically, emotionally or behaviorally may be socially rejected by their peers and many become victims of bullying and feel isolated and insecure. They are at risk for loss of self-esteem and depression. The problem is pervasive; "every day at least 160,000 children in the U.S. miss school due to bullying." (Mandel, Joshua, Psy.D., NYU Children' Study Center).

 

In fact according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: 

• close to half of all children will experience bullying at some point while they are in primary or secondary school; 
•  at least 10% of children are bullied regularly - about 1 in 10 students drops out or changes schools as a result of repeated bullying; 
• a reported 15% of all students who don't show up for school report it to being out of fear of being bullied while at school;
• in the LGBT community about one quarter of all students from elementary age through High School are the victims of bullying and harassment while they are on school property;
• Gay and Lesbian teens are 2-3 times more likely to commit teen suicide than  other youths;
• LGBT adolescents are 5 times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe after being bullied due to their sexual orientation; and
• 28% of LGBT adolescents feel forced to drop out of school altogether.