VERO BEACH — The prevalence of bullying among our school-age children is a subject we can no longer ignore. The effects of bullying are long-reaching and can result in low self-esteem, illness, physical injury, and in extreme cases, suicide or death.
In efforts to prevent bullying in our county, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Department and the Indian River County School District have partnered with Suncoast Mental Health Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County to provide a free panel presentation on the prevention of bullying on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Presentation topics will include an overview on the negative effects of bullying, pro-active steps on how you can help your child, and a discussion of efforts we can all make to put an end to this problem in our county.
Speakers will include Sheriff Deryl Loar of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Department, Dr. Lillian-Torres-Martinez of the Indian River County School District, Millie Chapman of Sebastian River High School, and Dr. Ken Brown, Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
The presentation is free of charge, and parents, students, educators, and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.
Bringing awareness to the topic of bullying is a major priority of both Suncoast Mental Health Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County. Ensuring our community’s youth are safe and have every opportunity for a happy, successful life is of the utmost importance to both organizations.
They are proud to partner with the Sheriff’s Department and the School District on this important initiative.
For more information about Suncoast Mental Health Center, please visit the website at www.SuncoastMentalHealth.org or call (772) 489-4726 ext. 2024.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County, please visit the website at www.BGCIRC.org or call (772) 299-7449.
For more information about the bullying seminar, please contact Art Ciasca at Suncoast Mental Health Center at (772) 489-4726 ext. 2024 or email him at ACiasca@SMHCInc.org.
The seminar is sponsored in part by the Indian River County Council of Community Services (CCS.)
