Sep 13 2023 32 mins
"Before you hate, think of Cait." This is the statement that began P.E.E.R. Kindness, an organization started by our guest, Maya Haynes, after her teenage daughter Cait completed suicide in 2015.
I am joined today by Maya Haynes, the mother of a young woman who in her teens completed suicide as a result of being bullied. Sharing from her own experiences during and since that time, she tells us that many of the kids who observed this behavior toward her daughter had reported it, with no results. Therefore, even though they witnessed it, they did not know what to do.
From the voices of her daughter's classmates and other community members, Maya formed P.E.E.R. Kindness, an organization dedicated to helping communities combat bullying behaviors by helping both those bullied as well as those who bully others. They offer tools, education and support to students, teachers, parents and community members who are trying to turn the tide in bullying situations. Her goal is to increase that percentage by helping students feel empowered to stand up for their fellow students.
Maya shares the concerns of students and parents who are asking, "What is bullying, what is not? When do I step in, when do I not? What is normal conflict?" She related a classic example of cruel, repetitive behavior toward her daughter that demonstrates what bullying clearly looks like. While teaching the students what to say and do, she states that 57% of bullying stops when peers intervene by saying, "Stop that. We don't do that here." She wants to increase that percentage. She says that for both the one who stands up and the one who is being bullied, there is a change in the way they see themselves, feel empowered and this can change the culture where the bullying is being perpetrated.
Maya shares many tips and tools in this episode for turning the tide on the bullying epidemic in our schools, communities, country and world.
Find out more information about P.E.E.R. Kindness and connect with Maya Haynes, or find resources to start turning the tide on bullying in your area, go to:
https://www.peerkindness.net/
To connect with Laura Padgett, host of this podcast, go to
https://lauralpadgett.com/
To check out music from April Metzler, go to
https://aprildmetzler.com/home/music