New campaign aims to help young people and families in the Highlands to tackle bullying during awareness week
A Highland charity aiming to help protect young children is launching a new initiative as part of Bullying Awareness Week.
The Safe, Strong, and Free program is launching a new anti-bullying campaign to address the serious impact of bullying in schools and communities.
This campaign, starting on Monday, November 11, will distribute posters and resources across schools, libraries, and leisure centres in a bid to equip young people and families with essential tools to identify and respond to bullying.
The campaign has been endorsed by Highland MSP Fergus Ewing, who said: “Every school has a duty to protect and promote the welfare of their pupils, but the high figures below certainly reflect how widespread bullying is, which is a serious concern. I applaud your new campaign.”
According to a charity’s spokesperson, a recent survey revealed that 54 per cent of young people in the Highlands reported being bullied, with those affected showing significantly higher rates of mental health struggles.
Among the bullied respondents, 43 per cent rated their mental health as bad or very bad, and 46 per cent reported often feeling unhappy at school.
This campaign is designed to address these concerns by providing age-appropriate resources that promote awareness, empower action, and encourage young people to seek help when needed.
Resources for the campaign will include primary and secondary school posters, a guide for parents and carers and one for children and young people.
Charity manager Kerry Lowe added: “Bullying Awareness Week is the perfect time to raise visibility and actively engage our communities in this campaign.
“With these materials in schools, libraries, and community spaces, we’re equipping young people, families, and community leaders with the tools they need to prevent bullying and provide support when it does occur. We want every child in the Highlands to feel safe, strong, and free from bullying,"
