February 21 2018

Intereach will be hosting an Action Group Meeting conducted by the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group (website here) on March 6 to discuss how to stamp out local bullying.

We now live in a world where humanity is closer to each other than ever before thanks to the internet and the array of websites and apps that keep people connected but such closeness can also bring out the worst in humanity.

It seems like only yesterday that it was still possible for a student who was bullied at school could go on home at the end of the day and be free of what taken place in the classroom and grounds but now with social media everyone is in reach and can be hassled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What became a battle to hang on for six hours a day for five days a week has turned into a battle 24/7 because even if the bullied are not online the long reach of the internet can be used to spread rumors and stories around and they can last forever.

It is not just at schools that experience bullying, businesses now have the added pressure of been scrutinized online with errors in service now pointed out online in groups or other locations and it can lead to a mob mentality when a simple word to a manager could of rectified the problems and spare conflict and distress.

Work colleagues can also push each other around in the workplace and then online as well, creating bitterness, discontent and mental distress and it has lots of effects from business to personal lives.

There are solutions out there and hopefully the meeting on March 6 helps people discuss bullying, the effects it has on people and then consider and act on new plans and strategies.

So please consider going and being part of a discussion that can make our local area a better place when it comes to interacting with each other.