BULLYING CASE ENDED IN SUICIDE

ARGENTINA: SHOCK FOR BULLYING
THAT CAUSED ANOTHER TEEN SUICIDE

www.diariopopular.com.ar - The incident occurred in Posadas, Argentina. The young boy, aged 14, left letters for the family and jumped from a ninth floor. A judge is investigating whether it was a response to "harassment" and "school humiliation." Rodrigo Troche left three letters, one for his parents and two for his brothers, in which he explained the reasons for his drastic decision. The young man jumped from a ninth floor around noon on Tuesday. Social networks are at the heart of the debate. The priest Juan Rajimón, rector of the College Roque Gonzalez where the adolescent attended, asked parents "be alert" and "review the behavior" on the Internet. 
The priest explained that "Rodrigo was a good student, quiet and reserved, in the class we did not detect he was going through a difficult situation; he had good grades and excellent behavior."

Rajimón considered that in these cases "is that we have to be alert, work more with teens. Times have changed, especially with them. There are things they know and adults do not, for example, the issue of social networks, young people do not take dimensions of the things that they upload and when they do, they do not how to eliminate things from there." Judge César Yaya, who instructs the case of suicide of this fourteen year old, deemed it necessary to sensitize society so that no more cases of school bullying and humiliation leading to tragic ends occur. He also indicated that, he is considering that the suicide has been caused due to the harassment and humiliation at school.
"The event is being researched and it is something that happens more than we think and often with our own children. An adolescent lives situations which for an adult may not seem so tragic to take such a dramatic decision, but for them it is very traumatic," he said.

School intimidation (or bullying) is a common form of violence against children. According to a new research from UNICEF between 50% and 70% of students in Latin America have been harassed or have witnessed bullying incidents. While school abuse is not a new phenomenon,  recently, technology and social networks have increased exponentially the reach and impact of this problem. Cyber abuse (cyberbullying) is conducted on the Internet and cell phones and may have, such as bullying, negative impact on mental health: substance abuse and suicide. Bullying is not “guy thing” not a game. It affects the bullied child, as well the bully and the viewer. Don't you think it's time to make a change in society?

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

We have to become activists of the good. There is so much garbage, so much cruelty that has to stop. Modern man has become insensible; anaesthetised by intoxication and consumption, the "human being" prefers the bad, so that he even forgets his own best and directly or indirectly becomes responsible for the corrupt society. We have to make changes, and we have to start with ourselves, because it is almost impossible to change others. One person or the whole world would change if we were capable to inspire them with our own example. The modern "civilized" man is a joke. It is time that we get conscious, even if it pains. The change is necessary, for otherwise, how would there be any hope? The very planet is in danger. We need conscience, even if it pains.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
"Conscience - Even If It Pains"
“Vedic Wisdom Collection"
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/concience-even-if-it-hurts.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

BOY WHO THREATENED SUICIDE SAVED BY LETTERS FROM STRANGERS

BULLIED TEEN WHO THREATENED
SUICIDE GETS SUPPORT FROM STRANGERS

http://itsybitsysteps.com - Tired of persistent cyberbullying, a seventh-grader turned to Instagram to announce his planned suicide, prompting thousands of strangers to send notes of support and encouragement. On January 26, Noah Brocklebank posted a photo of his cut arm on Instagram with the message, “Day of scheduled suicide, February 8th, 2013, my birthday.” “I just felt like everything was worthless,” Noah later told CBS News. “My life was terrible. I had no one.” Alarmed by her son’s post, Karen Brocklebank took Noah to the doctor where he was hospitalized for depression and anxiety. While there, she decided to start a Facebook page to ask for people’s help and support. 
“Noah needs to know that he matters and that it does get better. So many people have been asking me how they can help. Well, this is how,” she wrote on the page, requesting for  letters of encouragement for Noah.

“Noah has been dealing with bullying for the past year,” Karen also added. “He has been feeling alone and left out, ostracized from old friends and a misfit among new kids. Things begin to get better, and then another setback. He was once the life of the party among his friends; big man on campus at his first elementary school. Now his self esteem has disappeared.” After starting the page, she opened a PO Box with the expectation that they will get a few letters for Noah. Instead, within the month, Noah received thousands of letters of encouragement from all across the globe. 
“It has restored my faith in humanity,” Karen later told CBS. “I was focused on the bad side of the people, like the bullies,” Noah added. “Then I realized there are caring people out there that can be my friends.” The family later launched a website called LettersForNoah.com which continues to receive countless of messages for support for Noah and victims of cyberbullying.

Noah Brocklebank, a seventh-grade boy, who threatened suicide in a post on Instagram has received thousands of letters from strangers telling him not to give up hope. He thought no one in the world cared about him, but he soon discovered just the opposite. His mother, Karen, explained: “Cyberbullying is not something you can just turn off. It is another far-reaching tool in the bully’s arsenal.” Today, more than ever, parents and teachers need to be vigilant against the alarming rise of bullying in schools. This story ended well, but each day someone else is victim of ridicule and discrimination because of their appearance or way of being. Say NO to bullying!.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The sage Canakya, whose proverbs Srila Prabhupda would often quote, tested a person’s education by three questions - questions of character and ethics. ... “atmavat sarva-bhutesu”: an educated person sees other living creatures as he sees himself. Following the golden rule, he treats others as he wants to be treated. “Others” does not mean just one’s own family, one’s fellow citizens, or even just other human beings. ... Krishna defines a learned person as one who sees all living beings spiritually as part of Him. And Krishna says that ultimately a wise person surrenders to Him, seeing Him as all there is. Unfortunately, in this Dark Age of Kali thousands of schools award diplomas without considering the ethical and spiritual character of their students.

Śrīmati Urmila devi dasi :
“Real Education” - Sep 29 2006
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=1481
http://urmila.me.uk/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

ALLERGIES AND BULLYING

KIDS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES
MAY BE BULLIED, NEW STUDY

HealthDay News - Many children with food allergies may be bullied at school - sometimes with potentially dangerous threats to their physical health. A new study, of 251 families at a New York City allergy clinic, found that about one-third of kids said they'd been bullied specifically because of their food allergy. 
The bullying usually happened at school and often took the form of teasing. Some children said classmates threatened them with the food to which they were allergic - waving it in front of them, throwing it at them or saying they would sneak it into their other food. “With food allergies, that kind of bullying does carry a theoretical physical risk,” said Dr. Jay Lieberman, from University of Tennessee Health Science Center, in Memphis. Food allergy symptoms can range from hives, swollen lips and stomach pain to potentially life-threatening reactions where children can't breathe and their blood pressure plummets.

In the USA, an estimated 4 % to 5 % of kids younger than 18 have a food allergy, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. A handful of foods, including peanuts, cow's milk, eggs and fish, account for most. Because parents of food-allergic kids are usually vigilant about avoiding the culprit foods, severe allergic reactions are fortunately rare, said Dr. Eyal Shemesh. Both Shemesh and Lieberman said it's important for parents, schools and doctors to be aware that food allergies can make kids a target for bullying. The study is reported online Dec. 24 and in the January 2013 print issue of Pediatrics. 
This new study, Lieberman said, went a step further by asking kids about their quality of life - including their emotional well-being and how they were getting along at school. It turned out that children who were bullied reported a lower quality of life than their food-allergic peers who were not targeted.

Children could get stigmatized at school, when classmates have to avoid bringing peanuts and peanut butter to school. Peanuts, even in small amounts, can cause a serious allergic reaction. And simple skin contact with a peanut product can trigger a rash. Education about food allergies - for kids and adults - could help. Experts say that kids doing the bullying do not understand how serious food allergies are, so it's possible that if they get more education about this, some cases of bullying may stop. “What really affects these children's lives is everything that surrounds the allergy - the food avoidance, the anxiety,” said professor Shemesh. And bullying, apparently, can be part of the “everything” that surrounds kids' food allergies.  Every day a child is bullied at school or online. Say NO to bullying!

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The alarming rise of bullying in the schools ... inspired me to address bullying with an educationally-based yoga program during the school-day curriculum to teach ahimsa - nonviolence to self and others. ... There is a huge need for this type of education for kids. With the constant advancement in technology, kids and teens are continually bombarded with external stimuli. ... Students of all ages love yoga. It is fun and very relaxing. The CK system teaches children how to balance their lives and how to communicate effectively. Students do not ask for asanas (yoga postures); they do ask for relaxation, concentration or conflict resolution scenarios. It is the lifestyle of yoga that sparks their interest. Yoga is an enjoyable way to learn self-reflection, introspection, and relaxation, which most children greatly appreciate. It helps them to counterbalance their reaction to the busy world they live in.

Ms Dee Marie, MA :
“Bullying Can Be Stopped With Yoga”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-schware/yoga-bullying_b_1867274.html
CK - Calming Kids - Creating a Non-Violent World
www.calmingkidsyoga.org  -  facebook.com/calmingkidsyoga

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

YOUNG MAN KILLED HIMSELF DUE TO BULLYING

SUICIDE NOTE OF BULLIED MAN 20
PUBLISHED BY PARENTS AFTER HIS DEATH

www.dailymail.co.uk - The parents of a trainee teacher who killed himself because he had been bullied for years over his sexuality have published their son's suicide note in a local newspaper. Tim Ribberink, who was training to become a history teacher, killed himself last Thursday following years of bullying. But the decision by his parents Gerrit and Hetty Ribberink to publish their son's suicide note  has divided opinion in the Netherlands. 
In the newspaper, the suicide note is published along with Tim's death notice and a large smiling picture of him. It reads: “Dear Mum and Dad, All my life I have been ridiculed, abused, bullied and excluded. You guys are fantastic. I hope you’re not angry. Until we meet again, Tim.” His devastated parents, from Tilligte, east of Amsterdam, said they were not aware that there son was struggling to cope until he killed himself last Thursday. 

According to Irish Times.com, his parents have now asked police to investigate his death and in particular, to look at two fake messages which were posted in his name online. One of the messages dates back to 2010 with the second appearing last summer. It read: “I am a loser and a homo”. The parents are now hoping the police will be able to identify the bullies by investigating the fake messages. The decision by Tim's parents to publish the suicide note led to a massive reaction on Twitter. Despite some negative comments, the majority of posts supported the parents' decision to publish the note. Many called for tougher laws to deal with bulling. 
Within hours of the story about Tim's death emerging, his photograph was shared more than 5,000 times. The Twitter hashtag #timribberink has also been trending in the Netherlands. Last night, an emotional funeral took place at the Catholic church in Tilligte. Hundreds of friends and family attended, with many still shocked and angry about his death.

Bob van der Meer, a psychologist who specializes in the issues surrounding bullying, explains that “The suicide of Tim Ribberink just the tip of the iceberg and there are many children running around with suicidal thoughts because they are being bullied”. Ten percent of Dutch children and adolescents would be mobbed. “Pesten call” the Dutchman said aptly: Words are the victims often contaminated and can not resist. “But you can do something,” says van der Meer. Since 2006, schools have to keep a log of bullying, a “pest” protocol. But that was not enough: “We are shaken by such a case, but then nothing happens,” he adds. “Bullying makes you insecure and lonely. You really suicidal.” Again, while you're reading this, another child or teenager is being abused by his or her classmates or by internet. Say NO to bullying!

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The alarming rise of bullying in the schools ... inspired me to address bullying with an educationally-based yoga program during the school-day curriculum to teach ahimsa - nonviolence to self and others. I set up a pilot study to determine if yoga would result in a decrease in bullying. And it did. ... There is a huge need for this type of education for kids. With the constant advancement in technology, kids and teens are continually bombarded with external stimuli. ... The CK system teaches children how to balance their lives and how to communicate effectively. Students do not ask for asanas (yoga postures); they do ask for relaxation, concentration or conflict resolution scenarios. It is the lifestyle of yoga that sparks their interest. Yoga is an enjoyable way to learn self-reflection, introspection, and relaxation, which most children greatly appreciate. It helps them to counterbalance their reaction to the busy world they live in.

Ms Dee Marie, MA :
“Bullying Can Be Stopped With Yoga”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-schware/yoga-bullying_b_1867274.html
CK - Calming Kids - Creating a Non-Violent World
www.calmingkidsyoga.org  -  facebook.com/calmingkidsyoga

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

ANOTHER VICTIM OF BULLYING NOW IN ARGENTINA

ARGENTINIAN GIRL VICTIM OF
SCHOOL VIOLENCE IS PARAPLEGIC

www.diariouno.com.ar - A girl from the province of Corrientes, Argentina, became paraplegic after suffering a case of "bullying" in her school performed by one schoolmate who "harassed" her steadily as her mother remarked. Claudia Jesi, told that her daughter  of 11 years old named Abril, suffered a stroke between the fourth and fifth vertebrae during a physical education class in the Normal School in the town of Mercedes. She was pushed by another child. 
The victim had to be admitted at the "John Paul II" pediatric hospital in the provincial capital of Corrientes and lot of rehabilitation will be required to improve her condition during at least six months. However, it is not known yet whether she can recover. "Abril lost sensation in the legs because she suddenly fell, and all the weight was against the column, if it had not raised her head she would broke the skull," said the girl's mother. The girl who hit and dropped her been was bothering and pushing Abril for some time. 

According to Abril's mother, the other girl "was upset" because her daughter "was the Queen of Spring in her class, and she is nice and very dear." As she fell she lost her breath, so the teacher made her the first practices to make her breathe again. "She was under observation in the hospital and then she was resting in my house, but some days later she lost all the feeling. They did the MRI. The bone has a hit between the fourth and fifth vertebrae and has up to six months of rehabilitation," said the mother. 
"The school authorities are concerned. The issue of having a paraplegic girl due another class mate actions obviously involves us all. This is a case of bullying, but I never thought it would come to that. Now Abril is not walking, she must be diapered like a baby, it's hard ... but you have to face reality," said the grieving mother. School harassment, better known as "bullying" is becoming more common in schools around the world and even teenagers who had to suffer this kind of situations reached the edge of killed themselves.

Abril, an Argentinian girl of 11 years old, was attacked by a class mate during a physical education class, and after a push she badly fell and suffered a blow to the vertebrae. It is not known if she can walk again. The relatives alleged that she suffered harassment for some time, and the aggression was because she is nice and provoked the envy of other girls. She has "at least six months of rehabilitation" but doctors can not be sure if she will recover from paralysis. Marcela Fernández, from the Pablo Nicolás Association, an organization that works in preventing school violence, said that "sometimes such violent attacks happen because we are dealing with ciberbullyng: children are harassed each other for hours through social networks and when they met the violence becomes exaggerated". Another sad event. Say NO to Bullying!

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Our mundane feelings of attraction and aversion for material objects light the fire of envy, egoism, and hatred so much so that it seems they have the ability to destroy this world. If even a drop of pure affection arises in our hearts for the incarnation of Mahaprabhu’s magnanimity, then no place will remain for these animal propensities like hatred, jealousy, or violence to others. ... How can any attachment or hatred for material objects find a place in the heart where attachment to the guru, the eternal associate of Srimati Radharani, has awakened? In such a heart, there is constant awareness of the absolute necessity of attaining the supreme goal of life, loving service to Sri Krishna. This alone is the ultimate purpose of life for every single living entity.

Śrīla Bhakti Promode Puri Mahārāja :
“The True Spirit of Separation”
http://bvml.org/SBPPG/ttsos.html
http://www.gosai.com/krishna-talk/spirit-of-separation.html

Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library - Śrī Gopinatha Gaudiya Matha

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

ANOTHER VICTIM OF BULLYING NOW IN ARGENTINA

CYBER-BULLYING: AMANDA TODD SUICIDE

AMANDA TODD: BULLIED TEEN
MADE VIDEO BEFORE HER SUICIDE

www.people.com - Amanda Todd's mother Carol thought the 15-year-old had finally rounded the corner. After three years of relentless cyber bullying, the Vancouver, B.C., teenager had enrolled in a new school, found a group of supportive friends and appeared to have put her pain-filled past behind her. But Carol's optimism was shattered on Oct. 12 when her daughter's body was discovered at their home after she apparently took her own life. Amanda's death came just weeks after she had posted a wrenching YouTube video detailing her struggle with suicidal feelings and depression after being ostracized at school and tormented on Facebook when a stalker began distributing topless pictures of her online. The tenth-grade cheerleader doesn't speak in the 9-minute video, but holds up a series of papers on which she has hand-printed her story. “In 7th grade I would go with friends on webcam,” read the card. She quickly reveals that online strangers began telling her how beautiful and stunning she looked. “They wanted me to flash. So I did one year later,” another card detailed. 

Not long after that, she received a Facebook message from a stranger who threatened to post her topless pictures unless she revealed more of herself. Police eventually showed up at her house, informing her that the photographs were being distributed on the Internet. “I then got really sick anxiety major depression and panic disorder. I then moved and got into alcohol and drugs,” she wrote on another card. Despite switching schools multiple times, Amanda was shunned by other students and even beaten. Her cyber stalker followed her even when she changed schools and tried to turn other students against her. Amanda once attempted suicide by drinking bleach, began cutting herself and was rushed to the hospital on several occasions after overdosing. Her last card read: “I have nobody. I need someone. My name is Amanda Todd.” Amanda's mother says she doesn't know what finally pushed her daughter, who underwent treatment and counseling at a hospital in September, over the edge. But the answer may be contained in a video message she left on her phone shortly before her death.

Fifteen-year-old Amanda Todd was harassed, bullied and allegedly blackmailed until she slipped into a battle with depression and anxiety. This ultimately led to her committing suicide. “Amanda Todd’s video was a cry for help for her and for her generation, and saying, you know, 'Look at me. We need help. We need help in dealing with how to be in technology, how to use these technologies and even to come back to common values on how to be with each other,” says cyber bullying expert Julia Hengstler. While you're reading this - again - a child or teenager is being abused by his or her classmates or by internet. Say NO to bullying!

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The alarming rise of bullying in the schools ... inspired me to address bullying with an educationally-based yoga program during the school-day curriculum to teach ahimsa - nonviolence to self and others. I set up a pilot study to determine if yoga would result in a decrease in bullying. And it did. ... There is a huge need for this type of education for kids. With the constant advancement in technology, kids and teens are continually bombarded with external stimuli. ... Students of all ages love yoga. It is fun and very relaxing. The CK system teaches children how to balance their lives and how to communicate effectively. Students do not ask for asanas (yoga postures); they do ask for relaxation, concentration or conflict resolution scenarios. It is the lifestyle of yoga that sparks their interest. Yoga is an enjoyable way to learn self-reflection, introspection, and relaxation, which most children greatly appreciate. It helps them to counterbalance their reaction to the busy world they live in.

Ms Dee Marie, MA :
“Bullying Can Be Stopped With Yoga”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-schware/yoga-bullying_b_1867274.html
CK - Calming Kids - Creating a Non-Violent World
www.calmingkidsyoga.org  -  facebook.com/calmingkidsyoga

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/