Listen to individuals share their stories about the harmful effects of bullying and how they overcame the experiences this week at a town hall meeting hosted by a UT faculty member.
Dr. Lisa Pescara-Kovach, associate professor of educational psychology, will host a live WGTE Public Media town hall program Thursday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. at the WGTE Studios, 1270 S. Detroit Ave.
“The young individuals have experienced horrific bullying, and they will share with us how they survived. There have been numerous suicides related to bullying, and we can reach those who are at risk before it’s too late,” Kovach said.
Students, faculty and staff from the University and the general public are invited to be members of the studio audience to not only hear the stories, but also join the discussion and ask questions.
Those who attend will receive a pamphlet that was developed by Kovach with local and national resources, information about bullying, and tips on what to do if you experience or witness bullying.
“I want young people who are being bullied to understand that life does get better, that there is life after elementary school and high school,” Kovach said. “I also want students, parents and teachers to be aware of some of the signs that a child is being bullied and how to handle the situation.”
The town hall program is part of the larger Preventing Bullying = Creating Safety collaborative effort of WGTE Public Media and Fostering Health Communities, which is a joint effort among Mercy Health Partners, ProMedica and UT Medical Center. The initiative focuses on increasing youth safety by decreasing the incidence of bullying.
Attendance is free, but RSVPs are required. To RSVP, click here or call 419.380.4613.
The program will also air Friday, Jan. 31, at 2 a.m on WGTE and can be seen here.
