Over the past few years, some highly publicized cases have brought to the forefront the need to understand bullying behavior and its relationship to suicide. Though bullying is not a new phenomenon, technology has changed how youth interact with each other and the world around them. This presentation will help to define what bullying behavior is both on and off the internet, who gets bullied, and why both victims and perpetrators are at risk for suicide.
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Recognize different types of bullying behavior including (direct, indirect, relational),
• Recognize the difference between bullying and cyberbullying.
• Identify what makes some children more volunerable than others to bullying behavior.
• Understand what current research says about the link between suicide and bullying.
• Identify skills that promote positive peer relations and reduce likelihood of victimization.
• Discuss bullying prevention and recognize effect techniques.
Nikki Kontz, LMSW
Nikki Kontz, LMSW, is the Clinical Director for Teen Lifeline and Board of Directors President for the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition. Ms. Kontz possesses a Master Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and specializes in mental health issues, crisis, and adolescence. She is a state Licensed Master Social Worker. She has been working in the field for the past 10 years including work on a crisis mobile team and assessment for hospitalization. She is a certified field instructor for the Social Work Department at Arizona State University, Certified Crisis Worker through the American Association of Suicidology and a Certified Trainer for the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. Ms. Kontz has been a part of Teen Lifeline for 17 years, starting in as a Peer Counselor and being drawn to devote her career to working with teenagers. She coordinates the Peer Counselor Life Skills Development Training Program At Teen Lifeline and has trained houndreds of teens in this program to understand the myths surrounding suicide and gain active listening skills, communications skills and intervention strategies.