By NAMI Southwest Washington

As the leaves turn golden and the year draws to a close, a significant week dawns upon us, marking a period of reflection, action, and advocacy. Anti-Bullying Awareness Week, taking place from November 13 to November 17, 2023, is not just another event on the calendar; it is a clarion call for society to address a persisting shadow in our schools, workplaces, and online spaces – bullying.

This year’s theme, “Make a Noise About Bullying,” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a strategy. It implores us to break the silence that too often enshrouds acts of bullying. Silence is the cloak that hides bullying from scrutiny, allows it to thrive, and prevents many from seeking help. By making noise, we become the voice for those who feel voiceless and signal to the bullies that their actions will not go unnoticed.

The Reverberation of a Personal Story

Sharing a personal story is not just sharing an experience; it’s sharing strength. As I join the chorus of voices during this significant week, I recall my own encounter with bullying – a memory that once seemed an indelible mark of pain but has now transformed into a badge of resilience. Brent Fuller, for example, makes his voice heard by sharing his story:

“During my early high school years, I found myself an easy target for bullies. Maybe it was my shyness or the fact that I took solace in books rather than boisterous gatherings. Words were thrown like darts – some missed, but many hit their mark, leaving invisible wounds that I carried silently. But the pivotal moment came when I realized that the weight of these words was not mine to carry alone.

Encouraged by a national campaign similar to “Make a Noise About Bullying,” I spoke out. I reached out to a teacher who didn’t just listen but took action. Slowly, with support from my teacher and other supports I discovered such as parents and friends, the bullying ceased. The voices of friends and mentors became louder than those of my tormentors. This personal revolution was not just about stopping the bullying but about understanding that my voice had power – a revelation that every child and adult needs to discover.” ~Brent Fuller

Echoes of Advocacy

Anti-Bullying Awareness Week is our collective opportunity to amplify this discovery. By making noise, we engage in various forms of advocacy:

The Sound of Support

Support during this week means being an active listener. It means checking in with friends, family, and colleagues. It’s about educators and parents having open conversations with children, teaching empathy, respect, and kindness. Support is about action, intervention, and standing up for others, even when it’s uncomfortable.

A Chorus for Change

This Anti-Bullying Awareness Week, let’s all contribute to the chorus for change. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, a parent, or simply an individual who cares, your voice can echo off the walls of silence that have held back progress for too long. Share a story, wear the anti-bullying ribbon, participate in local events, or simply reach out to someone in need. Every action creates a ripple, and together, we can transform those ripples into waves of change.

In conclusion, “Make a Noise About Bullying” is more than a call to speak; it’s a call to action, a call for empathy, and a call to change the narrative. Let this Anti-Bullying Awareness Week be the week we all turn up the volume on a conversation that is long overdue, knowing that in the symphony of change, every voice counts, and together, our noise will be harmonious and strong.

Together, let’s make a noise that cannot be ignored.