Anti Bullying Week 2025, under the theme ‘Power for Good’, has schools across the nation reinforcing their policies and educational programs.
We have put together a full report on How Targeted Mentoring for Young People Transforms School Climate and Confronts the Root Causes of Bullying for you to download.
In Brief:
The truth is, to truly tackle bullying we need to go beyond simply reacting to incidents. We need to focus on building a supportive environment and addressing the root causes of aggressive behaviour. This is where mentoring for young people shines as a powerful, proactive tool.
Anti Bullying Initiatives to Address the Roots of Bullying Behaviour
Bullying is often a symptom, not the cause. When we look beneath the surface, bullying behaviour frequently stems from complex, underlying issues in a student’s life. A student who bullies may be struggling with:
- Unmet Needs: A lack of control, a need for attention, or a struggle to feel competent can manifest as an attempt to exert power over others.
- Expression of Anger or Hurt: Bullying can be an unhealthy way to process deep-seated anger, frustration, or pain stemming from issues at home, social exclusion, or personal trauma.
- Poor Social-Emotional Skills: Some students lack the emotional literacy to navigate conflict, manage frustration, or understand the impact of their actions, leading them to lash out.
Mentoring provides a safe, confidential space for these underlying issues to be addressed as a powerful tool for anti bullying initiatives. A dedicated mentor- whether a teacher, trained older student, or community volunteer- can:
- Offer a Positive Relationship: A consistent, caring adult or near-peer role model can help the student feel seen and valued, reducing the need to seek attention or power negatively.
- Develop Empathy and Self-Regulation: Through conversation and guided support, mentors can help students identify their emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and learn to view situations from another’s perspective.
- Connect to Resources: Mentors can often be the bridge to professional help, ensuring that issues like trauma or significant family distress are properly managed.
By addressing the issue that fuels the behaviour, mentoring for young people can help transform a student who bullies into a student who thrives.
Peer Mentoring: Building a Stronger School Community
One of the most effective forms of anti-bullying work is prevention, and nothing prevents conflict better than a strong sense of community. Peer mentoring, where older or trained students support younger ones, is invaluable for this purpose.
- Breaking Down ‘Us vs. Them’: Peer mentoring actively builds positive relationships across different year groups, helping students see each other as allies rather than potential targets or antagonists. This shared sense of community reduces the anonymity and isolation that often allow bullying to take hold.
- Early Warning System: Because peer mentors are integrated into the student body, they are often the first to notice small signs of trouble- a student being consistently left out, a shift in group dynamics, or escalating conflict- before it develops into serious bullying. They can then discreetly raise the concern with a staff member.
- Increased Student Voice: When students know that another student is there to listen and help, they are more likely to speak up about issues they are facing or observing. This strengthens the overall anti-bullying culture by promoting shared responsibility.
During Anti Bullying Week, let’s celebrate the official policies, but also commit to championing the personal connection. By investing in mentoring for young people, we are doing more than just stopping a specific incident- we are cultivating a school culture defined by empathy, community, and respect.
It’s time to commit to being anti bullying, pro young person.
Explore Primary and Secondary school mentor training further.