00:06Just for those who don't know, my name is Tessie Ojo and I'm the Chief Executive of the Diana
00:12Awards, an international youth charity that's really focused on children and young people.
00:19And as you know, Dr. Alice, one of the programmes we run is an anti-bullying programme because we
00:24know that thousands and thousands of young people, sadly, even in today's age, still experience
00:30bullying, but not just experience it, it's also almost too embarrassed to share their experiences
00:37of bullying.
00:38Why did you choose to get involved in this campaign?
00:41I really believe that, you know, bullying is a huge issue for our generations now as well
00:47as in the past.
00:48You know, I was bullied at school.
00:49It certainly impacted my school experience, my school life, my mental health, my education,
00:55as you know, it's a continuation of from the bullying you face at school is the same now
00:58bullying, sadly, that's happening online.
01:01And often young people, you know, are being bullied by the same people in both spaces,
01:05if you like.
01:06And it's amazing this Don't Face It Alone campaign.
01:08The work that we're doing, obviously, you know, help people who've been bullied to understand
01:12they don't have to face that alone.
01:14They don't have to accept it.
01:15It's not OK.
01:16And for people maybe that have bullied other people or people who are just witnessing and
01:21aware of it, just understanding the harm that it can do.
01:24So that we're all, you know, much more aware of it and able to act, basically.
01:28What would you say to a young person who's struggling right now?
01:32It's certainly something that we're hearing a lot.
01:34And I've heard a lot from young people is, I feel ashamed.
01:36I don't want to talk about it.
01:38If I speak to someone, it won't stop.
01:40And, you know, it won't fix it anyway.
01:43Actually, you know, you shouldn't be ashamed.
01:45And, you know, it actually says a lot more, I think, about the bullies than yourself.
01:49It's something that, sadly, a lot of people were affected by up to half of young people,
01:52as we know, have been bullied or are being bullied currently.
01:57So please don't accept it.
01:58Speak to family.
01:59Speak to friends.
02:00Speak to your teachers.
02:01If you want to get more advice on how to tackle it, then going online to the Dan Reward
02:05and seeing the fantastic resources you have there.
02:07Then don't, again, don't feel that you need to go throughout alone.
02:10Speak to people in your circle, your home circle, whether it's your family or friends.
02:14Please actually do reach out and get that support.
02:16And, you know, I remember when I was younger, I certainly hear things said to me and around me
02:21saying, you need to toughen up, you know, you need to stop, you know,
02:25stop being like a crybaby about it, whatever.
02:27And I think we are seeing a change in attitude around that quite a lot.
02:31But some of that still does exist.
02:34And, you know, we know that actually can be very harmful to young people's well-being.
02:38It's not the character building thing.
02:39It's not something that should just be brushed off and get up and get on with it.
02:42You know, what would you see to parents?
02:45As parents, I think it's having that really open dialogue with children about what they're
02:49experiencing, what their friendship groups are, you know, noticing behaviour changes.
02:53Are they coming home being very quiet?
02:55They're less interested in their hobbies.
02:56They're not sleeping or eating as well.
02:58You know, are the things you're noticing and being open about the issue, you know,
03:01are you experiencing, are people, are you experiencing bullying at school?
03:06The other side thing is I know that some young people talk about it,
03:08they're worried about talking to parents sometimes because they might go too far and wade in.
03:12And I think just being clear that, look, we can work together.
03:15We'll decide together a plan of action if you are being bullied and we'll only do what
03:18you're comfortable with.
03:19And I think that's a really good way to be.
03:21And it's the same with mental health as much as it is with bullying.
03:24You know, if you've got someone that's struggling with mental health,
03:25might be a sibling or could be a friend.
03:28You know, you need to work within what they feel comfortable at doing.
03:31You know, you might think the answer is this, but really you've got to work in as a team,
03:35as a collaboration between you to decide the best way out.
03:38And ultimately, that'll keep that young person engaged, on board and feeling that they're
03:42in control, I guess.
03:44No, you're so right.
03:46I remember one of the key things that I say to parents and I try to do as well as
03:50a parent
03:51myself was to always ask my children, how would you like me to support you?
03:56Amazing.
03:56What would you like me to do?
03:57Because you're right.
03:58A lot of the time we hear from young people who say, I don't want you to go in and
04:03make
04:03it worse.
04:04Thank you so much for joining us.
04:06And we love having you as a supporter.
04:09We absolutely adore everything that you do.
04:11Thank you for being here.
