As the public trains its eye on the scourge of bullying among young people, a local organization continues to bring attention to the problem.
In July, the New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center’s hosted its fifth annual Anti-Bullying Fair, transforming Alexander Avenue into a play area for kids of all ages to feel safe for an afternoon.
The group, whose new Bronx office is located at 579 Courtlandt Avenue, initially took action in 2018 with its first fair against bullying, in response to the escalating instances of bullying and cyberbullying in the Bronx. Collaborating with youth-oriented community groups, they designed it to increase awareness, provide resources, and educate parents, educators and youth.
A key ingredient of the group’s efforts is to guide parents to seek help for their children and encourage them to address bullying.
“The first thing we want to do is kind of ease them (the parents) into it and understand that there’s no shame. Lots of parents go through this,” said Scott Bloom, director of special projects and initiatives at the organization and a licensed clinical social worker. “We want to offer them strategies to have conversations about bullying.”
The July event featured other community-based organizations such as Guns Down Live Up, Youth Advocacy Corps, Neighborhood Safety Initiative, and Out of the Walls Ministry.
“The number of agencies that are joining us is growing each year. I think we have over 50 different local agencies that are part of it,” said the New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center’s CEO, Elliot Klein.
The organization has treated clients with depression and anxiety for 50 years, many of them having attributed their issues to past experiences of bullying.
After the event, Lorean Valentin, the community liaison for the New York City Council, presented Klein with a proclamation on behalf of the Council, recognizing the organization’s half-century commitment to mental health for youth.
“As a Bronxite, I’m extremely proud and honored to be here today to present this proclamation in my own neighborhood,” Valentin said. “Their annual anti- bullying coalition community fairs are just one example of their efforts to create safer, more supportive environments for all.”
“The important message that we want to stress to parents is that if your child becomes withdrawn, or their behavior changes,” Klein said; “Ask them what’s going on.”
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