‘Seek Help’ is the theme of the 2025 anti-bullying conference by Caribbean Colour Splash, aimed at encouraging students to reach out for support.
It is the tenth year of the conference, bringing awareness of this rising issue to schools and communities.
Secondary school students gathered at the National Academy for the Performing Arts had the opportunity to present artistic pieces to bring awareness to its effect.
One QRC student told the audience: “Today I want to talk about the most shameful, yet commonplace, behaviour in our school systems. In T&T, we are plagued by a disease. I speak not of a viral infection but a social parasite, bullying.”
Forensic and clinical traumatologist Dr. Hanif Benjamin said for bullying to be addressed effectively, an understanding of its impact is key.
“I don’t think that we understand the psychological and emotional impact of bullying. I think we respond to emotion based on how we feel, and it is important for us to understand what it means to be a bully and to be bullied. In my view, I think that everyone is a victim because even the bully so labelled is dealing with whatever they are dealing with, psychological and emotional stressors, and we need to figure out what is going on there.”
Dr. Benjamin added that revision of the current discipline metrics in schools is another aspect that would change the way bullying is handled.
“We also need to look at all discipline metrics when it comes to bullying and how impactful it may or may not be in terms of how do we help both persons to become better because the old way of suspending and expelling people, I don’t think has any impact on anyone, so we have to find ways that will educate from our home system.”
As someone who has faced cyberbullying due to his profession as a content creator, Jamel Sampson, known on social media as Certified Sampson, shared two tips that people can apply when dealing with cyberbullying.
“So anytime those comments get to you, block, block, block. That should be your anthem from now if you’re letting it affect you. Other ways to deal with that is to be as secure as possible within yourself, and that is a thing I know a lot of people face. I still face those things in life because again we’re only human; we experience things in life. I’m in no way shape or form perfect and able to handle every situation, but I sit down, take a deep breath, I deal with it. Even when I go online, if I still see those; I don’t even let it shift my mood.”
The students were encouraged to seek help if they or someone they know experiences any form of bullying.