NEW & NOW
Anti-bullying curriculum offered free to schools, youth and families
More than 160,000 kids skip school every day across the United States due to bullying, according to StopBullying.gov. The Oklahoma Department of Health released a Youth Risk Behavior Survey in October 2022 that found students who were bullied either electronically or on school property were almost 33 percent more likely to report signs of depression and 26 percent more likely to consider suicide. The report also shared that 43 percent of high school students felt sad or hopeless, 23 percent seriously considered suicide and 10 percent attempted suicide. Jim and Susan Stewart know firsthand the devastating impact of bullying. In 2021, their son died by suicide. The hopelessness their son felt, as well as the trauma endured by other families impacted by suicide in the community, incited them to act. “We could not stand by and do nothing,” said Susan. “There is a mental health epidemic with our children and we knew we must intervene.” The Stewarts now lead Heroes In Waiting , a local nonprofit providing free anti-bullying and peace-building curriculum to schools, homeschool consortiums, youth programs and other organizations that support children’s development. The 12-lesson curriculum incorporates best practices of meeting kids’ core needs of safety and belonging, enhancing social and emotional development, and removing the labels of “bully” and “victim” to expand empathy for all youth who are hurting. Through engaging videos, class activities and take-home exercises, participants learn to care for their own mental health and spot and support other kids who need help.
WELL-KNOWN JOURNALISTS SCOTTIE HINES (LEFT) AND MALCOLM TUBBS SHARE THE HEROES IN WAITING ANTI- BULLYING, PEACE-BUILDING MESSAGE WITH STUDENTS.
ARCADIA LAKE STORYBOOK FOREST
October 23–30 (Closed on Halloween) 5:30–8:30p (Times may change) | $5 Per Adult | $12 Per Child Starting October 1st all tickets will be for sale ONLINE ONLY at STORYBOOKFORESTOK.COM Volunteers & additional info please call 405-216–7471 Sponsored by Arcadia Lake and Edmond Electric
12 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPT-OCT 2023
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