Works Cited

Works Cited

Aitchison, Brianna. “Is Bullying Leading to Suicide?” Survey. 13 February 2013.

Bonanno, Rina A., and Shelley Hymel. "Beyond Hurt Feelings: Investigating Why Some Victims of Bullying Are at Greater Risk for Suicidal Ideation." Muse.jhu.edu. The Johns Hopkins University Press, July 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/merrill-palmer_quarterly/v056/56.3.bonanno.pdf>.

Bullying. Digital image. Cbc.ca. CBC, 23 Mar. 2005. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/bullying/>.

Chisholm, Catherine. "Characteristics of Bullying, Victim Behaviour." Ox.ac.uk. Kira Rose, 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://mcr.new.ox.ac.uk/journal/NewCollection2011.pdf#page=29>.

Cuts. Digital image. Tumblr.com. N.p., 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://all-pain-no-pleasure.tumblr.com/>.

Cyberbully Movie Saddest Scene. Dir. Charles Binamé. Perf. Emily Osmett. YouTube. YouTube, 28 July 2012. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VfRxxUO12o>.

Depression. Digital image. Wikimedia.org. Wikimedia, 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Depression-loss_of_loved_one.jpg>.

“Different Types of Bullying.” Stampoutbullying. 30 Nov. 2012. Stamp Out Bullying. Web. 29 Jan. 2013 <http://www.stampoutbullying.co.uk/types>.

Duct Taped Girl. Digital image. Glogster.com. Discovery Education, 2012. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.glogster.com/brebre0912/bullying-is-sad-see-stand-up-to-bullying/g-6lhae7800frds10vrpi99a0>.

Earnest, Joesph. Bullying: Bullies and the Bullied. Digital image. Newscastmedia.com. N.p., 3 Aug. 2011. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://newscastmedia.com/blog/2011/08/03/part-i-bullying-%E2%80%93-signs-that-someone-is-a-bully-or-is-being-bullied/>.

Ericson, Nels. "Addressing the Problem of Juvenile Bullying." Ncjrs.gov. N.p., June 2001. Web. 8 Apr. 2013. <https://www.ncjrs.gov/txtfiles1/ojjdp/fs200127.txt>.

Friday, Leslie. For Suicide Survivors, Sharing Heals. Digital image. Bu.edu. Boston University, 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.bu.edu/today/2012/for-suicide-survivors-sharing-heals/>.

Gun Words. Digital image. Wordpress.com. Wordpress, 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://saralinwilde.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/teen-suicide/>.

Jayan, Nithin, Dr. Schizophrenia. Digital image. Medindia.net. N.p., 17 Jan. 2011. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/Family-Intervention-may-Prevent-Relapse-of-Schizophrenia-79541-1.htm>.

Kill Myself More Then Once. Digital image. Blogspot.com. Maraym, 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://dreamstored.blogspot.com/2010/09/suicidal-depression.html>.

Kim, Young S., MD, and Bennett Leventhal, MD. "Bullying and Suicide. A Review." Equalitytexas.org. Freund Publishing House Ltd, 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://equalitytexas.org/app_themes/images/site/10/pages/10/Bullying-Suicide.pdf>.

Murray, Rheana. Amanda Todd Video Picture. Digital image. Nydailynews.com. N.p., 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/cyberbullied-teen-commits-suicide-article-1.1181875>.

Sad Girl Getting Bullied. Digital image. Prevenet.ca. Family Canada, 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.prevnet.ca/bullying/dangers>.

Tim. Teenage Suicide Is on the Rise. Digital image. Eastidahonews.com. Idaho News, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.eastidahonews.com/2013/01/teenage-suicide-is-on-the-rise/>.

To Save A Life. Dir. Brian Baugh. Perf. Randy Wayne. YouTube. YouTube, 10 Aug. 2010. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVeL8XuGJ7Y>.

Docuementary Video

Arguement Speech

Brianna Aitchison

Ms. McKoy

English 2-1^st Block

22 May 2013

Bullying: Should It Lead To Suicide?

Suicide is the act of killing oneself intentionally.  Everyday many teens and children commit suicide just to end the pain of going through bullying.  Imagine the pain of coming home to see a friend, family member, or anyone’s soul and colorless body hanging on a rope, lying on a floor from overdose, or even knowing they jumped off a bridge?  “What if the kid you bullied at school, grew up, and turned out to be the only surgeon who could save your life?”, once said Lynette Mather, the author of “Unspoken Secrets.”  This quote tells how if a person once bullied someone and the bullied victim was the only chance of their survival for the bully; would they help you in your time of need if you had hurt them in the past? In life everyone will have their most prized memories that can feel as it will last a lifetime! Also, in life everyone will go through pain that can be as sharp as a knife. Bullying can be one of those pains emotionally and physically.  Some people can be a victim of bullying and the pain can make them end their own lives.  Why should bullied victims have to face suicide as their only option?  I do not believe bullying has to lead to lead to suicide because being aware of what suicide symptoms may contain it can help the situation from occurring.  In addition, by having everyone aware of how bullying affects everyone witnessing, so it can decrease the bullying and suicide rates.  Therefore, knowing there are many ways to get help and prevent the problem from recurring.

Bullies can affect their victims in numerous ways.  In primary school victims, in response to bullying, can cry, have withdrawals from anything, and anger within them (Chisholm 24).  Once young teens reach middle and high school and are bullied, they can try and escape from the occurrences by being absent from school or running away (Chisholm 24).  Also, many of the victims can experience depression, low self-esteem, health problems, poor grades, and suicidal thoughts (Chisholm 26).  Once suicidal thoughts start to occur it can be defined as suicidal ideation which means one thoughts of considering or planning suicide.  An example of suicidal ideation is, “I am tired of life” and “I have occasional thoughts about suicide” (Kim & Leventhal 141).  After suicidal ideation starts to occur more often so can suicidal behavior such as self harm (Kim & Leventhal 141).  Being aware of someone with these conditions – help them and be supportive – so they do not become a statistic of bullycide.

Everyone that is not involved as a bully or victim can also be affected. Statistics compiled by the NSPCC Child Protection Awareness and Diversity Department found that a quarter of children are influenced when observing bullying and can have harmful lasting effects (Chisholm 26).  Some bystanders that observe bullying can feel unsafe, fearful, powerless to act, guilty for not standing up for the bullied victim and tempted to participate (Chisholm 27).  Having school prevention programs could eliminate these feelings and make the environment better.  Also, when a school does not take action in bullying scenes students may feel insecure, have difficulty learning, and gain a negative attitude towards learning (Chisholm 28).  Even as a bullying long term consequences are possible.  Some of these consequences being loneliness, trouble making friends, lack of success in school, and involvement outrageous behaviors (Ericson 5).  Why bother being a bully and making your own life go downhill?  Should making someone scared to be in your presence because of bullying be possible?  How about making a person commit suicide because of the pain bullying caused them?

While being a victim of bullying, there are tons of ways to receive help and prevent it from recurring!  Some ways to receive help is talking to a parent/guardian; teachers; guidance counselors; bringing the awareness to the bullies parents themselves and bringing awareness to the school and its district.  Once many people are aware of the bullying taking place, schools can implement bullying prevention programs.  Chisholm states on page twenty-eight of the article "Characteristics of Bullying, Victim Behaviour, “…regular school inspections of the Office for Standards in Education now incorporate the issue of whether a school has a bullying problem, and whether the school has taken measures to combat it, including a policy on bullying.”  Also, if bullying is found more aware in a state Barrett and Poland explain on page 127 how a legislative law could be made for the state to prevent bullying.  In addition, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has helped developed methods of dealing with bullying on school, individual, classroom, and community components that has been successful in 42 schools around the world and has reduced bullying and bullies twenty to seventy percent (Donegan 39).  Once the idea of knowing bullying is occurring locally empathy can start to occur for the ones getting bullied and the bullies. While knowing the pain of each member taking place in bullying, it can make the implementing of prevention programs easier to enforce, making the solution of less bullying, and bullying rates.

Bullying has been a problem for numerous of years, but can be prevented.  Also, once bullying is prevented so is suicide because many people feel as if it is the fastest and easiest way to flee from the pain in their lives.  Taking each precaution of knowing there are ways to prevent bullying, suicide, and knowing how bullying can make a victim or witness feel will make the problem ten times easier to solve.  Being a witness, talk to someone if you know they are getting bullied.  Being a witness to bullying, help someone if you spot them getting bullied.  Make a difference in someone’s life. Be a hero that will show them everlasting support in helping them with the challenges they go through. Show someone the gold sidewalks and brightness of what their life has to the world.

 

Works Cited

Barrett, Delphene, and Scott Poland. "Preventing Bullying: A Key to Suicide Prevention." Alaska.gov. Kathleen M. Benson, 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 22 May 2013. <https://extranet.dhss.alaska.gov/sites/stopsuicide/Shared%20Documents/AAS%202010%20-%20American%20Association%20of%20Suicidology/AAS%202009%20Proceedings.pdf#page=127>.

Chisholm, Catherine. "Characteristics of Bullying, Victim Behaviour." Ox.ac.uk. Kira Rose, 2011. Web. 22 May 2013. <https://mcr.new.ox.ac.uk/journal/NewCollection2011.pdf#page=29>.

Donegan, Richard. "Bullying and Cyberbullying: History, Statistics, Law, Prevention and Analysis." Elon.edu. N.p., 2012. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/research/vol3no1/EJSpring12_Full.pdf#page=33>.

Ericson, Nels. "Addressing the Problem of Juvenile Bullying." Ncjrs.gov. N.p., June 2001. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.ncjrs.gov/txtfiles1/ojjdp/fs200127.txt>.

Kim, Young S., MD, and Bennett Leventhal, MD. "Bullying and Suicide. A Review." Equalitytexas.org. Freund Publishing House Ltd, 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://equalitytexas.org/app_themes/images/site/10/pages/10/Bullying-Suicide.pdf>.

Cyber-Bullying Video By: Kayleigh Aitchison and Sean Quinn

Annotated Bibliography

Brianna Aitchison

Ms. McKoy

English 2-1^st Block

17 April 2013

Annotated Bibliography

Barrett, Delphene, and Scott Poland. "Preventing Bullying: A Key to Suicide Prevention." Alaska.gov. Kathleen M. Benson, 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <https://extranet.dhss.alaska.gov/sites/stopsuicide/Shared%20Documents/AAS%202010%20-%20American%20Association%20of%20Suicidology/AAS%202009%20Proceedings.pdf#page=127>.

            Barrett and Poland both explain in their article how bullying and suicide are

closely related together and both are at a greater risk of suicide when compared to others.

They also explain how there are several cases of bullying that have led to suicide and

only 33 states have legislations to prevent bullying.  The main goal of their article is to

prevent bullying and suicide from happening; therefore, preventing bullying will help

decrease suicide rates because samples or surveys from the United States tell if schools

had prevention programs for bullying it had made the school a better environment and

children have felt safer when attending school.  This source is very credible because it

was used in a suicidology conference and has many articles explaining suicidal behavior

and reasons why people will commit suicide.  Barrett’s and Poland’s intended audience

can be schools, teachers, and parents because they tell how the schools play a main role

and if bullying prevention programs get welcomed into the school it can help decrease

bullying and possibly suicide.

Bonanno, Rina A., and Shelley Hymel. "Beyond Hurt Feelings: Investigating Why Some Victims of Bullying Are at Grater Risk for Suicidal Ideation." Muse.jhu.edu. The Johns Hopkins University Press, July 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/merrill-palmer_quarterly/v056/56.3.bonanno.pdf>.

            Bonanno and Hymel explain in their article how social hopelessness is the main

problem that is in relation with victimization and suicidal ideation.  Also, the greater the

risk is for suicide when social hopelessness becomes greater.  In addition, Bonanno and

Hymel say if victims have support from their families the rates are lower for suicidal

ideation compared to victims of bullying with no family support with have higher

suicidal ideation levels.  The creditability of this source is very current since it was

published in 2010.  This article gave off an emotional reaction because you will never

want to see someone have suicidal ideation and try to end their life just because they have

no support.

 Chisholm, Catherine. "Characteristics of Bullying, Victim Behaviour." Ox.ac.uk. Kira Rose, 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://mcr.new.ox.ac.uk/journal/NewCollection2011.pdf#page=29>.

            In the article "Characteristics of Bullying, Victim Behaviour," Chisholm states

how there are many different problems with defining the word bullying. Bullying

takes different forms with cyber-bullying being adapted into the bullying group

with one of the most commonly used sources is text messaging.  Chisholm then

goes on to state how everyone has different opinions of what can be considered

bullying or not and how the little things we do can be considered bullying. This

article’s intended audience can be aimed towards teenagers, parents, and people

researching different facts about bullying and the behaviors.  Each of these

intended audience members can have an emotional reaction because most parents

base things off their prior knowledge.  Also, teenagers do not realize how the

victims do not choose to be where they are to get bullied and the reason why, but

then from all the hurt they end up getting socially harm and withdrawn from the

people around them.  In addition, most victims can become aggressive.  Then,

from the researcher’s emotional perspective, they can realize what can hurt a

person and why the bullies might have the tendency to go after others with a less

power imbalance which leads to different outcomes for the victims.  This article

gave great statics and facts to support my topic and why people have the tendency

to bully and what the outcomes to the victims could be.

Donegan, Richard. "Bullying and Cyberbullying: History, Statistics, Law, Prevention and Analysis." Elon.edu. N.p., 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <https://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/research/vol3no1/EJSpring12_Full.pdf#page=33>.

Donegan’s article explains how bullying has been known to be around forever, but is slowly escalading and can be reduced with the smallest things that we can do.  He later goes on saying how cyber-bullying is a big factor in the bullying society because online information is much easier for bullies to target their victims.  The victimization rates of bullying are increasing due to the trend of technology rising in the daily lives of humans.  The intended audience for this article would be teenagers since technology plays part of the everyday lives.  Also, the article could be for parents, so they can be aware of the consequences cyberspace and to know the dangers of bullying.  Donegan also explains how high school and middle school students are usually known to be angry when bullied, while elementary school kids are sad.  Donegan’s article affected me emotionally because he had told how everyone is affected from bullying even if they are just a bystander.  In addition, he states a static of suicide being the third leading cause of death for youth from ages 15-24 and those who bully or victims have a bigger suicide rating.  Donegan shows a great perspective on the idea of cyber-bullying and how it is increasing the rate of suicide making the statics even larger.

Ericson, Nels. "Addressing the Problem of Juvenile Bullying." Ncjrs.gov. N.p., June 2001. Web. 8 Apr. 2013. <https://www.ncjrs.gov/txtfiles1/ojjdp/fs200127.txt>.

            Ericson explains in his article how bullying usually happens when parents or

guardians are not around and explains bullying is an increasing problem that is arising. 

Taking surveys nationwide an estimate of 1.6 million children and teens have been

bullied once a week and 1.7 million others getting bullied more frequently.  These statics

are very shocking and emotional because for me as an audience member because you

realize how society is started to be rounded among bullying and it was never intended to

be like this.  This article’s intended audience can be everyone because bullying is an issue

everyone sees and can have long and short mental effects around on everybody that

witnesses it.  Some of the effects are loneliness, humiliation, insecurity, depression,

schizophrenia, and suicide.  The article helps make you want to prevent bullying and to

make an action if you see someone bullying others.

There is nothing better then being you!

Academic Summary

Brianna Aitchison

Ms. Mckoy

English 2

11 April 2013

Third Leading Cause of Death
     MD Young Shin Kim and MD Bennett Leventhal argues that bullying increases the risk of suicide ideations and/or behaviors in a broad spectrum of youth. They claim that suicide is the third leading cause of teen deaths in the United States. Young and Leventhal develop this claim by first investigating large studies in the year of 2008 on a large scare rang in the United States that stated the different amount of percentages of suicidal ideation, attempts, and enough of an attempt to get medical treatment for the victims of bullying. Young and Leventhal conclude there are three types of suicidality being: suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and composite score. Lastly, the author goes into further detail describing each suicidality, such as suicidal behavior being placed with self-harm for instance cutting, overdose of medicine, or even burning. Also, suicidal ideation meaning how a victim can pronounce comments including, “Why am I here” or “I am unimportant”. In addition, the composite score is when there are questions asked to the bullied victim to see how bad the outcome of suicidality really is. Young Shin Kim and Bennett Leventhals’ purpose is to show the statics of recent studies of bullying leading to suicide in the United States in order to show how suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens in the United States. This work is significant because it is based off of other credible works and surveys that have been citied. Also, it was found on a scholarly source which was Google Scholars. Each of the authors are MD’s, except for Young who is a master in three separate components other than a MD. Young Shin Kim is also an assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine. Lastly, the source can be significant because it states the submitted, revised, and accepted dates it was published.

Works Cited

Kim, Young and Leventhal, Bennett. “Bullying and Suicide. A review.” Equalitytexas.org. 17 Jan. 2008. 27 March 2013 .

Inspirational Music-Extra

Animoto Video

Exploratory Poem

Brianna Aitchison

Ms. McKoy

English 2- 1^st Block

12 March 2013

Last Day

Smiling, singing, dancing, and laughing

This was the time no one thought it could happen.

It was the day she said she could cry a river.

Only to finally realize this would be the day she would soon jet out of here.

It was a bright and shiny day,

Before anyone knew the price that would pay.

Samantha walked swiftly home on the sidewalk that was taunting her and only telling her
Everything was her own fault.

Only trying to hold back the tears,

She had only wished to disappear.

Sam made her way to the restroom,

She pulled back her brown straight hair,

Seeing her reflection looking back at her was a major issue she could not bear.

Pulling at her clothes everyone said did not fit right,

Or looking at the scar on her wrist she said was only a dog bite.

No one could ever see the pain in her brown eyes,

Because she only hid it behind her disguise.

Softly sniffling silently,

This was the time she knew and had wished to disappear.

Samantha gathered up her objects she needed to say her goodbyes.

It was a knife, gun, chair, and rope she needed to disappear.

This was the time she ran to her bedroom

With all her anger hitting an incline.

She grasped all the objects tighter,

Only hoping it would soon make her body feel lighter.

A game of “Eenie meenie minie moe” chose the way of her fate.

Only to know the gun was her bait,

With the chair and rope as the topping of the cake.

Wrapping the rope around her closet shelf,

This was the best she had felt.

Samantha pushed the chair up to the rope,

Only to feel as if nobody had any hope.

Picking up the gun to her side,

She never realized this was the way she was going to die.

Turning back trying to fight her tears,

Her memories went back to her past years.

Taking a pen to her hand with no doubt,

She drew a heart and a ribbon without a pout.

These two drawings showed her truce,

To all the bullies that never gave her a boost.

It was then when the bullies heard her name on the news.

Only to realize they would soon be sitting on a pew.

To finish the scene where we left hanging,

Samantha hopped on the chair and finished where she left off.

Only wanting to disappear,

She brought up the gun to the side of her ear.

Knotted the rope around her neck

Another round so she could not peck.

Sam then pressed on the trigger,

Only letting her body deliver.

Only hearing a BOOM and BANG,

She was falling forward tumbling to the ground,

But then the rope had caught her from feeling a pound.

Breaking down her bedroom door,

Was Samantha’s family to find her no more.

Leaving behind a heart and a blue ribbon on her hand,

Was a symbol her parent’s could not understand.

If only you knew as the bully,

What made Samantha commit her killing,

Would you step up to the plate and admit your wrong doing?

Taking into consideration:

If today was yours or another’s last day,

What would you do?

What would you say?

Would you regret everything in the past you have done?

Or will your only excuse be, “I was just having fun.”

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but names will never hurt you,

Is a saying that can be untrue.

Many people like Samantha will not confess up about the hurt,

But in the end they end up getting burnt.

If today was yours or another’s last day,

What would you do?

What would you say?

Would you want to impact their life?

Time is ticking.

Another gun is being filled.

Are you the one picking on them?

Or the next one on the battlefield?

Research Memo

Brianna Aitchison

Ms. McKoy

English 2

21 February 2013

Is Bullying Leading to Suicide?

Hypothesis:

            Bullying, I feel, has become a huge course leading to suicide and needs to be stopped before it grows larger.  Everyone hears stories of a teen committing suicide but they never really know why they did it.  My main target population is to survey ages 12-18, but to also get input from adults.  Going through with my survey I wish to find out how a bullied victim has found help or may find help.  Also, what may come to the mind to make them consider suicide.  I feel my audience will hopefully put an honest input in the ways they have or someone they know have dealt with bullying or even some ways that they can get help.

Context:

            My target population was from the ages 12-18 because during these ages is when bullying usually occurs most and more suicide ratings can be seen.  While doing my pilot testing I realized I need to add more of a variety of questions and my questions did not really touch on suicide at all.  The results I received I believe would be reliable because many of the answers varied and the questions I asked were normal based questions asking about their knowledge and what they thought about bullying.  I feel my questions were skewed because I asked questions based on knowledge that the respondent could/would have.

Results/Data Analysis

Demographic	Trend	Meaning
34 females 6 males	All males and females answered true for question 11. Question 11: Is the knowledge of bullying important?	When coming up with question 11 I thought many that took the survey would answer with a true because without the knowledge there would be no way to stop bullying from occurring.  In addition, I feel as if this trend occurred because many already know about the consequences that come along with bullying.
Females: 14-16- Yes (22)  No (4) 17-24- Yes (1)  No (6) 25-Older:  No (1) Males: 14-16: Yes (2)  No (1) 17-24:  Yes (2)  No (1) 25-Older: None	More female teenagers from ages 14-16 are getting or have been a bullied victim rather then 17-24 year olds or people 25 and older. The number of males that have or have not been a bullied victim has stayed the same for 14-16 year olds and 17-24. Question 6: Are/have you been a bullied victim?	On question number 6 I came to realize bullying has increased a lot for teenagers in today’s age rather then it may have been just a few years ago mainly for females rather then males.  This could even be by the way media has started to affect our society.
34 Females 6 Males	The top two responses I got for my 10th question was Messaging such as (texts, e-mails, mail, etc.) and also Internet from both males and females. Question 10: Where do you see bullying occurring the most? (Check all that apply) Hallways Restrooms Messaging (texts, e-mails, mail, etc.) Internet Cafeteria Other	How society is becoming more of a media place and many of the bullies are turning to Internet or messaging so they do not have to directly face their victim and believe whatever they may be doing is not bad and there are not consequences for it.

Conclusion

           

            My surveys have helped me to gain a better understanding of how people have dealt with bullying such as ignoring it, talking to people, self harm, etc.  Also by answering this question it gave me a sense to know that bullied victims tend to think self harm or even fighting may be an answer to this issue.  My hypotheses was correct with finding out how bullied victims have found help or may find help by the respondents answering honestly by giving answers such as going to a counselor, and telling a principal or adult.  One this that was different then I had expected was when I had asked if they thought parents/guardians, teachers, etc. were aware that bullying was going on most answered with a yes compared to what I thought many would answer no to.  I thought this because talking to a teacher and telling about my sisters story he did not think bullying occurred that much in the school.  Also, I thought this because many teens or children do not like to usually speak out or tell that the bullying is going on. After surveying my questions have showed me that many people know that bullying is a huge problem that needs to be fixed.  In addition, going along with bullying, many turn to self harm which is now a huge revolving issue around the world. 

Follow Up

            Starting on my secondary research I want to mainly focus on bullied victims that have thought about suicide instead of anyone who has just been bullied.  One of the main questions I feel I should focus on is should people be aware of the thoughts that come to mind of a bullied victim.  As a result of this research my research questions have changed survey wise because I want to get inputs from actual bullied victims that want or have attempted to do suicide.  Also, my research questions have changed a bit because I want people to understand what comes to the mind of a person that wants to commit suicide and why they would want to commit suicide.

Works Cited Aitchison, Brianna. “Is Bullying Leading to Suicide?” Survey. 13 February 2013.

Exploratory Essay

 

Brianna Aitchison

Ms. McKoy

English 2

07 February 2013

Mind of a Victim

            “Why am I here?” runs through her mind every day.  “Do I really belong in this world?”  is a question she cannot seem to fully answer.  “I just want to die” is a statement she says, which some may believe or just take it as a joke.  “She” is my sister Samantha.  Samantha is the kind who can make you smile on a rainy day and inspire you to do whatever you never wanted to do.  Starting her first year in middle school, she has been faced with going to school and being bullied.  Bursting into tears and into my arms, Samantha comes home asking these questions and searching for the answer. Finding ways to comfort her, I work through the issues and comments that have been placed on her mind telling her the best decisions I think she should make. Some of the decisions I suggest to her is to tell a teacher or principal. Also, I tell her to even talk to our parents about the issue.  After, the situation seems to get better it collapses once again, and she returns to being a victim for a bully.

            Bullying is a word that can summarize many different forms.  Stamp Out Bullying states, “Bullying comes in different forms such as: Verbal, Physical, Social, and Cyber.” It is very important to know the different forms, so that when anyone can see bullying occurring they do not have to be a bystander. Then, they can stick up for the victim and stop it from happening.  Also, when someone is choosing a path to say a statement that is harsh their subconscious self can take a moment and think about the consequences that can occur to themselves, or those they want to hurt even if it may not be on purpose.  In addition, the website also tells the effects that bullying has on a person, such as depression, stomach aches, suicide and anxiety being a few of the effects.  This information is dependable because on the website it states the last update.  Also, because it ends in .co.uk rather then .com which means it is a company in the United Kingdom, and it cannot be updated by others.  Stamp Out Bullying can help me in my research by telling others what bullying is and the possible ever lasting effects it has on a person.

            Beginning with this initial research it has helped begin guide my project in many ways.  One of those ways is to tell about the ways bullying can be seen because many people do not seem to know.  This process has also helped to find a beginning point to where I can branch out and tell about my essential questions.  “Does bullying mainly have to lead to suicide?” is my main essential question.  To develop my thesis statement more which states, I do not think bullying has to lead to suicide I created 5 questions that can help prove my point better.  How can someone find help for suicide thoughts? Also, should students and parents be aware of the thoughts that come to mind of a bullied victim?  Are a few of the questions I have in mind.  In addition, these questions I feel can definitely prove a point of how I feel bullying does not need to lead to suicide.

            I would like to do further research on if bullying has to lead to suicide because I want students to know how the actions they make can affect another person’s mind and the way they react. Also, because I want everyone who has someone in their family, friendships, or any other relationships to know ways they can help someone or even themselves if this may become or is an issue.  Bullying does not have to lead to suicide, and a possible argument that I make is, if in most bullying cases does suicide occur or in extreme bullying cases is suicide seen to occur more.  Although, it may not be a choice anyone may want to take it is a great way to grab a hold of the chances and stop being a victim of bullying and suicidal thoughts.

Works Cited

“Different Types of Bullying.” Stampoutbullying. 30 Nov. 2012. Stamp Out Bullying. Web. 29 Jan. 2013 <http://www.stampoutbullying.co.uk/types>.