In the aftermath of the Columbine High School massacre of 1999, where the perpetrators identified themselves as victims of bullying, there was a significant global push to eradicate bullying. Subsequent research has linked bullying to other school shootings and youth suicides, underscoring the urgent need for effective intervention. Mental health professionals are pivotal in preventing bullying and supporting affected children. Most current interventions draw heavily on the work of Professor Dan Olweus, a pioneer in bullying psychology since the 1970s, whose definitions and recommendations have become widely accepted across education, psychology, and law.

Despite over two decades of concerted anti-bullying efforts, bullying remains a pervasive issue, with school shootings and suicides linked to bullying still occurring at alarming rates. Furthermore, litigation against schools for failing to prevent bullying has surged, with settlements reaching millions of dollars. This necessitates a critical evaluation of the Olweus approach, which is predicated on a law-enforcement paradigm that criminalizes bullying behavior. Such an approach may be counterproductive for the majority of bullying incidents, which involve social dynamics like insults, rumors, and exclusion rather than criminal acts.

To enhance the efficacy of anti-bullying interventions, it is essential to adopt a psychological paradigm that focuses on understanding bullying dynamics and empowering individuals to manage these situations independently. This webinar introduces a modern psychological framework grounded in the ancient wisdom of the Golden Rule. It offers structured, engaging, and easily implementable techniques that mental health professionals can use to help students and staff diffuse bullying and foster a peaceful school environment. These techniques are designed to promote resilience, emotional maturity, and social competence among students.

Participants will critically examine the limitations of current anti-bullying strategies, explore alternative evidence-based practices, and develop practical skills to enhance their professional practice. By integrating advanced theoretical insights and empirical findings, this webinar aims to equip mental health professionals with the tools necessary to address bullying more effectively and contribute to the well-being of the school community.