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/

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/