Part 1 - Anti-Bullying Week - Pat Capel

The Good Mental Health Podcast

Anti-Bullying Week with Pat Capel. In this newly recorded audio series, Pat Capel – classroom teacher of 25 years and trained HG psychotherapist – shares invaluable insights and clear techniques that can be applied in any situation. By approaching bullying behaviour – and its consequences – through the lens of unmet emotional needs, Pat shows how the HG approach sheds light on why bullying behaviour happens, and unlocks practical and effective strategies for preventing – and stopping – it. The essence of the Human Givens approach is the idea that we all have emotional needs and that when these are met, we have the potential to be mentally fit and healthy. If we want to prevent bullying or prevent a child becoming a bully, we need to work really hard on satisfying each child’s emotional needs while they are in our care. School should be a safe environment for all children. For some, it might be the only time in the day when they do feel safe. Home might be chaotic or insecure. School should then be a place of refuge and security. But this will not happen when there is a bully on the prowl. That constant fear of when the bully might strike again is exhausting and very stressful. It makes the environment toxic for the young person. The could end up living in a constant state of flight or fight. No meaningful learning can happen when we are stuck in that state. A school needs to work very hard to satisfy every child’s emotional need for security. A school needs to make all children feel safe. By creating a nurturing environment, a school then becomes a place for learning a lot more than the formal aspects of a curriculum. We can then teach the young people skills and mechanisms to cope with what life throws at them. We need to make each child feel valued. They trust us when they feel valued, secure and part of a community. A trusting child will not bully others. Our impact is stronger when we work together. Discover how you can play your part … https://www.humangivens.com/2020/11/06/anti-bullying-week/