Information on School Bullying by the Mobile Mental Health Unit of Karditsa

Aiming to inform and mobilize against school bullying, psychologist of the APOSTOLI Mental Health Unit of Karditsa Ms. Irene Stamou and Social Officer Ioanna Chiotis gave an interactive lecture to pupils of the 1st and 6th grade at Mouzaki Primary School to explain School Bullying.

It is not easy to clearly differentiate a game from quarrel, playfulness from malicious punishment, an innocent threat from systematic intimidation, an accidental blow during a play from the desire to cause pain and harm others.

Ministry of Education, Research and Religions established March 6th as a Pan-Hellenic Day against School Violence (BULLING).

Surveys report that bullying occurs at very young ages (primary school). 8.5% of children report bullying at least 2 to 3 times a month, while 1 in 6 (15.8%) accept that they are intimidating othes, at similar frequency. Students who intimidate others are mostly boys, while those who are intimidated are both boys and girls.

Bullying in Greek schools rates at 10% to 30%, as evidenced by World Health Organization figures; since 2005 figures increase (due to social change, economic crisis, etc.). However, teachers, parents and pupils now report incidents more easily than in the past.

Experts focus on improving the climate in schools, by promoting communication, free expression of emotions and dialogue in order to eliminate this unpleasant phenomenon, where not only victims and perpetrators are created, but children’s souls are deeply injured.