Articles/Interviews Archives - Bullying Speakers

National School Tour Helps Schools Address Mental Health Concerns

by Jim Scott | Jul 19, 2021 | Articles/Interviews

Youth Motivational Speaker Makes it Fun to Build Emotional Resilience

Music, magic, and gut-busting comedy grabs the attention of students attending a school assembly by youth motivational speaker Jeff Veley. For over a decade, Jeff has mixed entertainment with education and a powerful message on taking control of your mental health. Still, Jeff is not just another school assembly entertainer. His work has been recognized with two international awards and the earned him the title of a Peace Ambassador, honored by the United Nations.

According to Veley, the best thing educators can do is to help students build their emotional resilience and coping skills. “COVID taught us that we can adapt, we can persevere, and that we’re often stronger than we think. My job is to help students and grownups harness and grow this mindset.”, says Veley.

Back-to-School Stressors

As students return to school this fall, many are nervous about entering the classroom again, after the pandemic. School leaders say that falling behind in academics and feeling socially disconnected. Some kids and teens have become more isolated and struggle with social skills. This can make it difficult to seek help or positively engage with peers.

Adults face some of the same challenges. The transition back to school is also a change for teachers, who have taught remotely and even parents. A number of parents are either working from home or have had to change jobs. Others remain unemployed. All of this adds to stress and mental health concerns, says Veley.

Schools Increase Mental Health Programming

As schools prepare for this fall, many are spending additional time on social and emotional learning. Several have turned to Veley’s engaging presentations and curriculum to make learning these skills a fun experience. His resources offer weekly lessons, on-demand videos, and games for use at-home and in the classroom.

Glendive Public Schools superintendent, Stephen Schreibeis had this to say about hosting Veley. “If you want to give students and staff real life skills that they can use to be successful, this is the training for you.” Schreibeis has based their district’s strategy around social and emotional learning around Jeff’s approach, due to the effectiveness he’s seen as both a teacher and an administrator. “Everything that Jeff teaches and models will not only help for what is happening now in their lives, but also will be skills they will use the rest of their lives,” says Schreibeis.

Bring the Tour to Your School

Jeff’s national tour is visiting numerous cities across America this fall. You can request a presentation, if the tour is visiting your city Jeff offers school assembly programs (reaching grades 1-12), professional development training for educators, workshops for parents, and an evening family night program.

You can also contact Jeff’s office to schedule a visit in winter or spring of 2022.

Learn more at: LoveChangesItAllTour.com

The Long-Term Effects of Quarantine on Mental Health

by Jeff Veley | May 20, 2020 | Articles/Interviews, Social and Emotional Learning

Doctor Predicts that Mental Health Pandemic is Likely

It is no surprise that mental health challenges are increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. As people abandon their everyday routines during quarantine, many wonder when restrictions will lift and if life will ever return to normal. As an advocate for mental health, I often wonder if health officials are taking mental health risks as seriously as the present risks to physical health. Perhaps you’ve found yourself pondering similar questions.

Another concerned mental health professional, Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz recently addressed the White House regarding this same issue. She shared her thoughts on the pandemic as a psychiatrist. The focus of her speech was to shed light on the lasting mental health challenges that could arise from the Coronavirus.

“As my physician colleagues on the task force have been careful to rightly note: Their perspective and advice centers on one aspect of the pandemic: virus containment. However, even medically, it is not the sole perspective.”

Dr. McCance-Katz is the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Mental Health and Substance Use. As the leader of SAMSHA, she is not only a psychiatrist, but also holds a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology. Her unique background and experience allows her to speak with great clarity on wholistic health research and practices.

“The research literature is clear on the effects of quarantine and stay-at-home practices on mental health. We know that the longer the duration of these orders, the greater the intensity of the mental health health problems experienced. We also know that these symptoms persist for years to come, even once quarantine is lifted.”

Dr. McCance-Katz closed by saying, “If we ignore the reality of the enormous mental health strain we’ve put on our citizens, on the backdrop of an already over-burdened mental healthcare system, I’m saddened but certain that the next major public health crisis of our time will be that of mental and substance use disorders and it is not far behind.”

It is times like this that messages of mental health are needed most – especially to individuals that are more vulnerable to substance use, abuse in the home, and have previous mental health struggles. Most days, you can find me live-streaming social and emotional learning lessons to students and grownups, from my office. I sincerely believe that the current struggles we are facing offer the perfect opportunity to both learn and practice new skills in coping and persevering through challenges.

As we move forward, I’m finding new ways to reach and support students, parents, educators and mental health professionals. Contact us to learn to learn more about the innovative ways that we are building emotional resilience and helping kids take charge of their mental health.

School District Livestreams Social & Emotional Learning Lessons

by Jeff Veley | May 18, 2020 | Articles/Interviews, Social and Emotional Learning

As a youth motivational speaker, reaching students and grownups during the Coronavirus has been a challenge. While I’d normally be traveling the country with my bullying prevention tour, the quarantine has forced me to get creative in how I reach schools. Thankfully, through technology, I’ve been able to livestream social and emotional learning lessons for school districts.

Partnering with Glendive Public Schools in Montana, my first broadcasts offered training for both parents and educators. We focused on offering an online curriculum that parents could immediately access and use with their students. Soon after, live interactive shows focused on addressing mental health challenges and building emotional resilience. Overall, ten live broadcasts will reach staff members and families throughout the school district. These videos and resources will be available on an ongoing basis.

One thing we’ve focused on repeatedly is how to help students manage emotions. It’s important to gain perspective on our problems. When we do, we realize that although life may be hard, things could be worse. Additionally, it helps us realize that struggles often build our emotional resilience and can even turn out for our good.

Finding Hope During COVID-19

A social and emotional learning video which challenges viewers to ask “How could this be a good thing?”

Crisis Hotlines Report 1000% Increase in Calls During COVID

by Jeff Veley | Apr 4, 2020 | Articles/Interviews, Parenting Advice

As Americans struggle to cope during quarantine, crisis hotlines are reporting a 1000% increase in calls for help. The Crisis Text Line, has grown in popularity, especially among teens. It’s website currently has a pop-up message that says “Social Distancing may be lonely, but you’re not alone”. That’s a message that it seems we all need to hear.

It’s important to remember that, no matter how challenging your situation may be, there’s always someone willing to talk. If you need help, reach out to someone below. If you prefer not to share your name, you can speak with them anonymously.

Need to Talk?

These organizations can help.

Anti-Bully Law: Parents Fined for Kids’ Bullying Behavior

by Jeff Veley | Apr 11, 2019 | Articles/Interviews, Bullying Prevention

Wisconsin Attempts to Stop Bullies in New Legislation

One Wisconsin city is saying “no” to bullying through a new proposal that would hold parents responsible. The proposed law is one of many across America which attempts to reduce incidents of bullying through legal means.

The proposed law in Sun Prarie, Wisconsin would include verbal, physical, and even electronic/cyber-bullying. Under it, parents could be fined anywhere from $50 to $1,000 if their child is a bully (repeated offender). This is not the first time the state of Wisconsin has considered such legislation. Both Monona and Plover Village have developed ordinances to address bullying, in previous years. Their efforts aimed at giving police the ability to notify parents in writing if their child is caught bullying and to ticket the parents if the child bullies again within 90 days.

Proposed Anti-Bullying Laws in America

The efforts in Wisconsin are similar to those in other states. In Tonawanda, New York, they’ve sought to punish a bullies’ parents with fines and jail time. In Pennsylvania, State Rep. Frank Burns proposed a similar bill, fining parents up to $750 and mandating parenting classes. For more on anti-bullying legislation in specific states, visit www.stopbullying.gov.

What Is Bullying?

The real question is: what constitutes bullying?
In 2019, “bullying” is defined differently in each state but is now illegal nationwide. The word bullying can include overt criminal behavior such as assault and battery as well as rude gestures such as eye-rolling. It’s hard to believe but even repeated eye-rolling can now be considered a crime under anti-bullying legislation and could lead to criminal prosecution.

Does Fining Parents Stop Bullying?

So far there’s no evidence the Monona ordinance has worked in reducing bullying. Detective Sgt. Ryan Losby says no tickets have been issued in the two years since it took effect, but the department did issue three warnings. He worries that it’s being perceived as an empty threat and not making a real difference. Still he wishes that the city would have surveyed students about bullying before and after the ordinance took place, adding “I have no doubt it would have showed a drastic reduction in bullying”.

Tough Questions about Anti-Bully Laws

I have my own questions regarding these proposals…
1. Has this been proven to be effective elsewhere?
2. Were any psychologists or sociologists consulted in the development of the proposed laws?
3. In the case of foster parents, will the state pay the fine to the city or township, while the child is considered a ward of the state?
4. Will the targets of bullying be empowered with skills to defend themselves?

Assuming that the answer to each question is “no”, let me suggest a psychological approach to the bullying problem.

Sources: Parenting.com, LetGrow.org, ABC13, FOX8 Cleveland

Find Your Reason to Live

by Jeff Veley | Dec 2, 2017 | Articles/Interviews

Listen on iTunes

I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of my dearest friends, Yohan Daza, recently to join his new podcast. “Find Your Reason to Live” takes a positive approach to the suicide problem and inspires those searching for hope by sharing stories of others that have overcome. At the same time it addresses key issues, such as depression, bullying, and coping with adversity through resilience.

The podcast comes after Yohan, an artist and activist, shared his art piece “Seven Reasons to Live” in ArtPrize, the world’s largest international art festival. It was his way of responding to the popular TV series “13 Reasons Why”, which was scrutinized for it’s depiction of suicide.

Please take a moment to listen to this segment on “How to Respond to Social Aggression” and check out the excellent work that he’s doing to draw attention to this issue and discuss solutions. I truly believe this podcast will help shine a light in dark places and helping encourage those in search of meaning and peace.