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Today, I walked into one of our afterschool journaling programs, and let me just say, it's amazing to see how this program has grown in one year.
My plan was to introduce myself and give a little more insight into I Am Aria. But before I spoke, I noticed something small yet powerful. One student turned to another and simply asked, "Hey, are you okay?"
That one question mattered.
It made me think about a heartbreaking story I shared with them—a real story about a girl their age. Just twelve years old. Last month, she took her own life after being bullied at school.
I told the students this because it’s something we can’t ignore. We can’t pretend it doesn’t happen. And we can’t assume someone else will step in. So, I asked them: What would you do if you saw someone sad at school or noticed something was off about a friend?
These were the responses I expected to hear because it was who I was as a kid:
“I would tell a teacher or counselor because they can do something to help.”
“I’d sit with them at lunch or talk to them so they don’t feel alone.”
“I’d ask if they want to hang out or do something fun.”
“I would remind them that things get better and they aren’t alone.”
There are the responses I received:
"If I see someone sad, I wouldn't say anything. But if it was a friend, I would be curious about it."
"I would ask them if they are okay."
"I would stop the bully and check on the person, no matter who it is."
They probably never thought about this, and I was happy to help them get the wheels turning. Thats why we have the program—why we create safe spaces through journaling, why we teach them that their voices matter, and why noticing someone else’s pain can make a difference.
Because the truth is, no one should feel invisible (Check out It's Me, Jaxon! Can You See Me, an illustrated middle grade book about a boy who is tired of him and his friends being invisible)
What Happens When a Student Feels Alone?
When a student feels like no one cares, like they have no one to turn to, their world can start to feel very small. Anxiety and depression thrive in isolation. That’s why small actions matter. A kind word, a check-in, an invitation to sit together—these moments tell someone, You are seen. You are valued. You are not alone.
What Can Schools Do?
Schools play a critical role in bullying prevention and mental health support. If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s what schools should be doing:
Providing a safe space: Every school should have a counselor or trusted adult students can talk to.
Implementing anti-bullying programs: Schools should take bullying reports seriously and have clear consequences for harmful behavior.
Encouraging peer support: Schools can create mentorship or buddy systems to help students connect with each other.
Offering mental health resources: Schools should provide access to mental health professionals, crisis lines, or community resources for struggling students.
Resources for Students Who Need Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with bullying, anxiety, or depression, please know that help is available. Here are some resources:
📞 Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to chat with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.
🌐 StopBullying.gov – Learn more about bullying prevention and what steps to take if you or a friend is being bullied.
🌐 The Trevor Project – Support for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678.
🌐 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Call 1-800-950-NAMI or text “NAMI” to 741741 for mental health support.
Keep the Conversation Going
We can’t change the past, but we can change the future. Today, I saw a student check in on a classmate, and that gave me hope. What if we all did that? What if we all noticed a little more, asked one more question, showed up when it mattered?
If you take one thing from this, let it be this: Your words and actions matter. Keep looking out for each other.
And if you need someone to talk to, reach out. You are not alone. 💙
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