Prevention is...
a systematic process that promotes safe, healthy environments and behaviors, thereby reducing the likelihood or frequency of violence occurring. It has been said that the best prevention is early intervention. Ideally, prevention addresses problems before they occur (called primary prevention), rather than intervening after incidents occur (secondary or tertiary prevention).
Because violence is a learned behavior, prevention efforts are directed at learning peaceful strategies and not learning or unlearning violent ones. Preventing violence involves comprehensive and multi-faceted efforts that build on assets in youth, families, and communities, as well as address the risk factors associated with violence. Multiple successes in preventing violence have been documented, and the number of evidence-based violence programs is increasing.
It means working with diverse community partners to plan and deliver culturally appropriate, effective, and sustainable prevention practices that are a good fit for the populations being served. It also means understanding and applying prevention research so that prevention efforts are informed by best practice, and shown to influence risk and protective factors associated with prioritized substance misuse and related health problems at the community, state, territory, and tribal levels. It is important to develop strategies and life skills early in life to create and sustain safe spaces, so that services regarding mental health, violence and substance use are not as flooded.
Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school as well as negatively impact their ability to learn. Bullying can be prevented, especially when the power of a community is brought together. Community-wide strategies can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behavior of children who bully, and change the attitudes of adults and youth who tolerate bullying behaviors in peer groups, schools, and communities. Families can communicate. Talk with and listen to your children every day.
Families can teach and model. Instill in your children the values of respect, responsibility, and resiliency to prevent bullying.
Because violence is a learned behavior, prevention efforts are directed at learning peaceful strategies and not learning or unlearning violent ones. Preventing violence involves comprehensive and multi-faceted efforts that build on assets in youth, families, and communities, as well as address the risk factors associated with violence. Multiple successes in preventing violence have been documented, and the number of evidence-based violence programs is increasing.
It means working with diverse community partners to plan and deliver culturally appropriate, effective, and sustainable prevention practices that are a good fit for the populations being served. It also means understanding and applying prevention research so that prevention efforts are informed by best practice, and shown to influence risk and protective factors associated with prioritized substance misuse and related health problems at the community, state, territory, and tribal levels. It is important to develop strategies and life skills early in life to create and sustain safe spaces, so that services regarding mental health, violence and substance use are not as flooded.
Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school as well as negatively impact their ability to learn. Bullying can be prevented, especially when the power of a community is brought together. Community-wide strategies can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behavior of children who bully, and change the attitudes of adults and youth who tolerate bullying behaviors in peer groups, schools, and communities. Families can communicate. Talk with and listen to your children every day.
Families can teach and model. Instill in your children the values of respect, responsibility, and resiliency to prevent bullying.
Effective Prevention Practices
The Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Prevention Model:
Primary Prevention
Wellness: Prevention that occurs BEFORE negative outcomes start.
Examples of Primary Prevention:
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The Social Ecological Model:
This model shows the complex interactions an individual has with various levels of a population which include the individual, their close relationships, their community settings, and the broader society. Each level has factors that protect individuals or place them at risk for bullying, and targeting these factors can influence multiple levels. We can provide prevention practices on any one of these levels, and effective programs target factors across all levels.
The Public Health Approach to Prevention:
Public health aims to prevent problems and protect the health and well-being of a population. The public health model of prevention uses a four-step, evidence-based model to accomplish these goals. Since bullying is a public and mental health issue, this approach provides the most benefit for the greatest amount of people:
Step 1: Define the problem - The problem must be understood using available data.
Step 2: Identify protective and risk factors - The factors that protect individuals or place them at risk need to be identified.
Step 3: Develop and test prevention strategies - Prevention programs are designed based on literature research and data (needs assessments, community surveys, etc). The programs then undergo implementation and evaluation.
Step 4: Assure widespread adoption - Effective programs are implemented and evaluated across wider populations.
Step 1: Define the problem - The problem must be understood using available data.
Step 2: Identify protective and risk factors - The factors that protect individuals or place them at risk need to be identified.
Step 3: Develop and test prevention strategies - Prevention programs are designed based on literature research and data (needs assessments, community surveys, etc). The programs then undergo implementation and evaluation.
Step 4: Assure widespread adoption - Effective programs are implemented and evaluated across wider populations.
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Need help? Use the numbers below to speak to someone, chat or text:
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Crisis Text Line
text 'HELLO' or 'START' to 741-741 |
Crisis Line of Hawaii
O'ahu 808-832-3100 Neighbor Islands 1-800-753-6879 |
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255 |