by bullyingrrAdm | Jun 17, 2025 | BLOG
Written by Dru Ahlborg, Bullying Recovery Resource Center
This month I am going to suggest the solution before describing the problem because it’s that important. Intervention and support for children impacted by bullying is the BEST way to mitigate the potential devastating mental health impacts of bullying. Parental support and support from the school can literally be life-saving for children dealing with the repercussions of bullying. That is where Bullying Recovery Resource Center can help.
When speaking about the mission and work of BRRC, I have the opportunity to listen to many adults recall the bullying they endured, and/or the bullying their child has encountered. Often, they share that the trauma still reverberates in their life today. Recent research underscores the profound and enduring mental health impacts of bullying, affecting individuals from childhood into late adulthood. These effects manifest in both immediate psychological distress and long-term mental health challenges.
Short-Term Mental Health Impacts
Bullying is never just “kids being kids.” Its emotional toll can be immediate and intense, leaving targets feeling anxious, isolated, and overwhelmed. These short-term mental health impacts often mark the beginning of deeper struggles if left unaddressed. Below are some short-term mental health impacts for bullying targets:
- Emotional Distress: Victims often experience heightened anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. WebMD
- Academic and Social Consequences: Bullying can lead to decreased academic performance, school avoidance, and social withdrawal. leadingjustice.com
- Cyberbullying Effects: A study by the University of the Sunshine Coast found that 98% of girls aged 14-19 have experienced cyberbullying, leading to significant body dissatisfaction and increased risk of eating disorders.couriermail
Long-Term Mental Health Impacts
The pain of bullying doesn’t always end when the behavior stops. For many targets, the emotional wounds linger, quietly shaping their mental health into adolescence and adulthood. Understanding the long-term impacts is essential for caregivers who want to support healing that lasts a lifetime.
- Adolescent Mental Health: Children bullied at age 11 who developed distrust by age 14 were approximately 3.5 times more likely to face significant mental health issues by age 17. U.S. News+1UCLA Health+1
- Adult Depression: Early-life bullying is associated with a higher prevalence of depression in later life, particularly among women, rural residents, and individuals with lower educational levels. PubMed
- Chronic Bullying Effects: Chronic bullying victimization increases the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, such as substance use, and leads to life-disrupting emotional problems in adulthood. PMC+1BioMed Central+1
- Educational and Occupational Outcomes: Individuals involved in bullying during first grade, especially those identified as bully-victims, are less likely to graduate high school on time and more likely to encounter criminal justice involvement in adulthood. PubMed
Protective Factors and Interventions
While the effects of bullying can be profound, they are not irreversible. Supportive relationships and intentional interventions can make a lasting difference in a child’s recovery and well-being.
- Parental Support: Active parental involvement and support can mitigate the immediate mental health effects of bullying, reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress among victims. Lippincott Journals
- Positive School Climate: A supportive and connected school environment is associated with lower rates of bullying and better mental health outcomes, serving as a buffer against the negative impacts of bullying. Lippincott Journals
These insights are a call to action. Every child who has been targeted by bullying deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported—not just in the moment, but for the long journey of healing that may follow. When we come together—at home, in schools, and in our communities—we can create a world where the lasting scars of bullying are met with lasting care, compassion, and hope. At Bullying Recovery Resource Center, we walk alongside families on that journey, offering guidance, resources, and a community that understands.
by bullyingrrAdm | May 28, 2025 | BLOG
On April 1, 2025 Colorado Governor, Jared Polis issued an official proclamation recognizing April as Autism Acceptance Month in Colorado. The proclamation is a powerful step that aims to raise awareness, foster inclusion and celebrate the unique strengths and contributions of individuals on the autism spectrum.
Between 30-40% of the families we have assisted at BRRC since 2017 have a child with ASD. Our organization is incredibly passionate about changing the narrative about autism and promoting understanding and inclusivity of youth diagnosed with ASD.
The article below was written by Melissa Berger of Thriving With Autism addressing the importance of changing our language and our thinking about autism. (Read more about Melissa in the Champion of the Month section.)
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Why is April so important?
April is Autism Acceptance Month, but you might also hear it referred to as Autism Awareness Month. Here’s another example of how words make a difference. The transition from awareness to acceptance represents on of the most significant evolutions in the autism conversation, particularly for families navigating the early years after diagnosis.
Why Awareness Isn’t Enough
For years, autism advocacy focused on awareness – which was important at the time. It helped people recognize signs of autism, understand that it’s a spectrum, and reduce some of the stigma. But awareness often stops at “Autism exists” or “These are the symptoms.” It tends to be about autism from an outsider’s perspective, often framing it as a problem to be solved.
For example:
- Awareness campaigns only rely on statistics (e.g. “1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism”) but don’t explore what that actually means for those individuals.
- Some organizations still use deficit-based language, talking about autism in terms of what’s “wrong” rather than seeing autistic traits as neutral or even positive.
What Acceptance Looks Like
Acceptance means moving beyond just knowing about autism and embracing and celebrating autistic individuals as they are. This means:
- Respecting autistic voices – Involving autistic individuals in discussions about autism, rather than solely professionals or parents.
- Shifting the narrative from “overcoming” autism to supporting autistic individuals in ways that honor their needs and preferences.
- Understanding that being different doesn’t mean being less – acknowledging that communication, sensory experiences, and social interaction may look different but are still valid and should be honored.
For parents, the journey from awareness to acceptance can be profoundly personal. Many initially enter a state of panic, educating themselves on therapies, interventions, and early signs. However, confidence and sense of calm emerge as they transition into acceptance and realizing:
- Their child doesn’t need to be “fixed.”
- There’s no “right” way to communicate, play or experience the world.
- The best thing they can do is create an environment where their child feels safe, supported, valued, and most of all, loved unconditionally.
Promoting Autism Acceptance
- Listen to autistic voices. Read blogs and books, and follow social media accounts run by autistic individuals to learn from their lived experiences.
- Challenge outdated narratives. If you hear someone talking about “curing” autism or used fear-based language, offer an alternative perspective or viewpoint. Sharing your experience is powerful.
- Advocate for inclusion. Acceptance involves creating school environments, workplaces, and communities that actively support autistic people rather than merely accommodating them as an afterthought.
- Model acceptance in everyday life. If a child stirs in public, let them. If they communicate differently, honor it. If they have sensory needs, support them. You never have to apologize to anyone.
The Bottom Line
Awareness is passive. Acceptance is active. It’s about building a world where autistic individuals are valued, respected, and supported – not just acknowledged.
While April is the month we call attention to Autism Acceptance, I hope everyday is about accepting and embracing the gifts the autistic community brings to everyone.
“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.” ~ Coach Elaine Hall
Written by Melissa Berger of Thriving With Autism
by bullyingrrAdm | Apr 22, 2025 | BLOG
In February of this year, an eleven-year-old student in Texas ended her life after she was bullied about her family’s immigration status. Classmates told the young girl that her parents would be deported and she would be alone.
School attendance for children who are immigrants has dropped across the country. At a school in Jefferson County where the rate of Hispanic and Latino students is over 40% a teacher states that attendance is down, and some students return in the afternoon only after learning that ICE officials have not shown up in the morning. Imagine trying to succeed at school while constantly worrying about being deported, your family being deported, or having other students threaten “I’m going to call ICE on you.”
Bullying of Asian children increased during the pandemic. Muslim students reported a large increase in bullying from both teachers and students in 2016 and later. Increases in racial bullying follows the news cycle and is incredibly detrimental to populations of children who may already be struggling.
Being a child in today’s world comes with immense challenges. Life moves at an overwhelming pace, and with constant digital connectivity, the struggles of adults inevitably impact our children. The window for simply being a child seems to be shrinking. For those who don’t fit societal norms—especially immigrant and refugee students, or even those who simply look different—the burden is even greater. These children face bullying at alarmingly high rates, making an already difficult transition even more painful.
Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners. It can also be the belief that people from other countries are inferior or a threat to society. There are many historical examples of xenophobia including the Holocaust, Apartheid in South Africa, the Rwanda genocide, and Japanese internment camps in the US during WWII. Millions of people throughout history have be severely abused, humiliated and murdered due to the notion that one culture, religion, or race is superior to all others.
In times of unrest, it is especially important to take a stand and support those in need. It is an opportunity to grow and assist others. We can take time to see we are all more alike than we are different from each other.
There are many ways that we can take a stand against racial bullying and xenophobia. Here are a few:
1. Celebrate diversity
2. Celebrate other cultures
3. Call out bigotry and hate speech/call out bullies
4. Talk to children about kindness and respect
5. Encourage children to respect differences
6. Model inclusive behavior
7. Challenge stereotypes and myths
8. Become an ally
9. Become educated
10. Act in solidarity and support human rights movements and organizations.
By using these ideas, we can all take an active role in fighting against racist bullying and supporting a more inclusive and respectful society. Let’s commit to making a difference, one step at a time.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
by bullyingrrAdm | Mar 3, 2025 | BLOG
We Aren’t Going Away
Written by Dru Ahlborg, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BRRC
At Bullying Recovery Resource Center (BRRC) we are committed to standing firm and unwavering in our support of families and children during these unsettling times. As adults, the news, the changes to policies and ideals, and the reduction and elimination of guidelines that provide inclusion and safety have caused many of us anger, stress and apprehension. The same angst and emotion is felt by our youth. We recognize that the world around us may feel tumultuous and our dedication to help families navigate through the trauma and struggle of bullying remains stronger than ever.
The BRRC mission remains the same: we defend bullied children and help rebuild lives. Through our programs we provide a safe, compassionate and understanding space for families to be empowered, find guidance and begin recovery from bullying. Our services are free of charge and provide emotional support, practical tools and education. In 2025 BRRC is building a robust resource area on our website to provide additional tools for our families. We know that a strong community helps us all persevere in challenging times.
Our organization also acknowledges that bullying trends continually change and that with the internet, there is no longer a time where a child can shelter against the bullying they are enduring. Our team is dedicated to continuously learning and growing to ensure our resources best serve the families who need our help. We will continue to take an individualized approach with each family we assist and offer tailored guidance and support to best help them move forward with strength.
Now, more than ever, we must come together as a community and all support one another. At BRRC we are proud to be part of the journey torward healing, understanding and empowerment. We remain steadfast in our mission to uplift families and ensure every child and their caregivers have the tools and resources they need to move beyond the bullying. Together we will weather this storm and create a brighter, safer and inclusive future for all.
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb
by bullyingrrAdm | Jan 20, 2025 | BLOG
Written by Dru Ahlborg, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BRRC
At the Bullying Recovery Resource Center (BRRC), we are humbled by the incredible growth we’ve experienced as an organization dedicated to empowering individuals and their families impacted by bullying. Our journey has been defined by a steadfast commitment to education and advocacy offering resources and tools to help individuals heal, and reclaim their confidence. Beyond providing knowledge, we are proud to foster meaningful community connections reaching more families and more organizations and individuals who serve families across Colorado. As we reflect on our progress, we remain inspired by the strength of those we serve and are motivated to continue expanding our impact, one connection at a time.
In 2024, BRRC is proud to share the following milestones on our journey:
- BRRC launched a FREE Parent Education class – Navigating Bullying Together: Partnering for Prevention. This class is available to any group of parents in Colorado who are interested in learning about bullying and bullying prevention. This can be taught in-person or online. For more information, please reach out to us: https://bullyingrecoveryresourcecenter.org/contact-us/
- We hosted our first BELONG Gala and celebrated inclusiveness and bullying recovery with over 150 of our supporters! The event exceeded our expectations and we are thrilled to announce the second BELONG gala is scheduled for October 2, 2025 – Save the Date!
- We assisted over 90 families across the state of Colorado and a few families who reside in other states. We are honored to walk shoulder to shoulder with families who are striving to end the bullying impacting their family.
- We are actively working with an intern and Colorado State Representatives to create potential legislation to help all Colorado students.
- In 2024, BRRC was featured on podcasts, news stations, newspapers and radio stations this year. The word is out and we are grateful for the various communities who are spreading the word about our services and expertise. You can listen to any of these interviews here: https://bullyingrecoveryresourcecenter.org/blog/news/
- BRRC partnered with various organizations across Colorado to participate in events and trainings that highlight the autistic and neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, mental health and family communities.
As we close the chapter on an extraordinary 2024, we at the Bullying Recovery Resource Center are filled with gratitude and pride. This year has been a testament to the power of education, connection, and tenacity. Through the unwavering support of our community, we’ve expanded our reach, deepened our impact, and witnessed countless stories of recovery and growth. The challenges we’ve faced have only strengthened our resolve to continue this vital work. As we look ahead, we are excited to build on this momentum, knowing that together, we are creating a brighter, more compassionate future for everyone affected by bullying.
by bullyingrrAdm | Dec 16, 2024 | BLOG
Written by Dru Ahlborg, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BRRC
Yes indeed, it is the Thanksgiving season and a time that many take time to reflect and practice gratitude. At BRRC, we find ourselves incredibly grateful. This past year we have served 93 new families across the state. We have met hundreds of new families at events we attended that serve families and children in the mental health, LGBTQ+, immigrant/refugee and neurodivergent communities. We hosted our first incredibly successful BELONG Gala and raised money to keep growing and serving bullied children and their families in many different ways. We are working on potential legislation and have launched a parent education class to reach more caregivers before the bullying gets out of control.
Practicing gratitude is a proven strategy for improving mental health for anyone. Studies show that it leads to better psychological health, greater life satisfaction and lower levels of stress and anxiety. A 2014 research study found out that students who keep a gratitude journal on a regular basis experienced an increase in optimism and found more and more reasons to be grateful. The act of identifying gratitude improves relationships, increases social support, and improves mental and physical health.
Practicing Gratitude in Schools:
Research suggests that students who practice gratitude tend to have lower anxiety, stress and depression and feel more satisfied in their life and in their relationships. A school that makes the act of thanking others and expressing gratitude a regular practice can create a culture where students and educators thrive!
A number of schools in Hawaii are taking gratitude to heart and implementing a gratitude program. These programs have led to improved culture, greater feelings of belonging for both students and staff, and addressing mental health concerns that provide nurturing for personal and academic growth. It should come as no surprise that when the culture of schools encompass belonging, support and gratitude, bullying will be less.
Here are the recommendation that these schools have identified to build a gratitude practice within a school:
1. Identify behaviors to appreciate and recognize. The leadership of the school should recognize behaviors they feel complement the framework of the school and focus on community values. Students can and should be involved in this as well. Behaviors should both support academic positive characteristics as well as social characteristics.
2. Talk about the valued behavior(s) with the student body. Speaking about the expected behaviors in the classroom helps the students look and identify the positive behavior and come up with their own ways of recognizing or practicing the behavior. Schools often start with a single behavior for a set time period. Students and staff should all be tasked with defining different ways to identify the behavior(s).
3. Make time for students to write private notes expressing thanks and gratitude. Encouraging one-to-one thank you notes removes the stigma of an audience and assists students with expressing themselves more easily. The act of exchanging the notes not only aids in students learning to express gratitude and thanks, but also the receivers can be recognized for their contributions to the school.
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Expressing gratitude may be quite challenging for students who have been relentlessly bullied. Bullying reinforces feelings of isolation, self-doubt and hopelessness that many children deal with. Starting a practice of gratitude no matter how small can slowly help break the cycle of negativity and help children see good in their lives. Practicing gratitude can aid children recovering from bullying to begin to rebuild and foster positive relationships and not be defined by their past experiences.
In conclusion, there are many studies and mental health professionals who tout the wide array of benefits of identifying gratitude. It can be a practice that starts out slowly and grows. It can be adopted by schools to help positively shift cultures for the students and the staff. Gratitude helps improve the physical and mental well-being of those who make it part of their lives. It is a win-win for all and another speed bump against bullying.
