NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
PEOPLE AGAINST BULLYING

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If you or anyone you know is in need of anti-bullying services, please contact us at the email address below.

anna@napab.org

If you, your child, or someone you know is being bullied, we want to help.

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As a non-profit organization, we rely directly on the contributions of individuals to support our services.

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NAPAB advocates on behalf of bullied children and their families, providing education and support to parents, educators, children, and the community at large. Driven by Daniel's story, we exist solely for the purpose of providing social service to our communities.

Celebrating 10 years of Anti-Bullying Campaigns

NAPAB advocates on behalf of bullied children and their families.  Our goal is to bring about positive resolution between parties involved. We help schools across the country begin their own Cool 2 Be Kind Chapters.  We also provide education and support to parents, educators, children and the community at large in order to promote a harassment free society.  Learn more under About Us by clicking on the picture below.

Bullying is an epidemic in our schools.

For many children, being bullied is a silent, shameful event:

• Bullying remains a significant risk indicator associated with suicide attempt. There is a vulnerability to bullying during early adolescence, suggesting early preventive and context-appropriate interventions may be necessary to impact suicide behaviors and to help resolve mental health issues. There is a need to prioritize school-based intervention models to target both in-person and cyber bullying. GSBSH Survey

• Suicide has become the 2nd leading cause of death among young people. - Nat’l Center for Disease Control

• Over 3,000,000 kids stay home from school at least once per month due to bullying. - Nat’l Center for Disease Control, Youth Risk Behavior Survey

• 20% of high schoolers report that they have been bullied. - National Center for Education Statistics

• 60% of middle school students say they have been bullied while 16% of staff say they believe students have been bullied. - James Burns, Bullying in Schools

• Students in high risk groups are even more vulnerable. More than twice the number of LGBTQ students are threatened, injured, bullied at school or electronically bullied than heterosexual students. - Nat’l Center for Disease Control

• Racial minority, religious minority, students with disabilities are bullied at higher rates than the general population. - FSU, College of Education

• Bullying causes depression, anxiety, physical ailments, loss of self esteem, misdirected anger at family or friends, self hatred, and can ultimately lead to suicide. - PTSD - The Invisible Injury, David Kinchin

• Bullied children are more likely to take drugs while their tormentors suffer stress as adults. - Psychological Science

• Bullied children are more than 8 times more likely to have suicide ideations. - US National Library of Medicine

• Bullied children are 2 times more likely to have attempted suicide. - Hinduja & Patchin Study

• In 2019, 1 in 5 teens have seriously considered suicide while 1 in 11 teens have attempted suicide. - Nat’l Center for Disease Control

• Bullies are more likely to have a criminal record by the time they reach adulthood. - Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Science

• Suicide attempts peak during school seasons of autumn and spring. - Vanderbilt University Study

• In schools where there are anti-bullying programs, bullying is reduced by over 50%.  - Clemson University Study

THIS MUST END.

Join us to take a stand against bullying.

Bullying in the News

• 12/02/2024 “I just want peace” said her note left to her family before her death. Beautiful, kind, smart, energetic Payton Raulerson ends her life after begin mercilessly bullied for being gay. “Everybody hates you. You should kill each other off. The world would be better without you guys.” Read more…

• 11/06/2024 After being physically and verbally abused, high school freshman Jose Zamora could find no other way out but to end his life when bullying escalated because he and his dad became homeless. “He was trying to make me happy. I miss seeing him, hearing him,” said his father. Read more…

• 05/05/2024 Smart, funny, charming 10 year old Sammy Teusch who had a big smile and loved to fish ended his life after relentless bullying at school. Read more…

• 04/24/2024 Strong, sweet, 16 year old Anthony Cooper ends his life after being bullied. “He texted me around 4:30, told me he loved me, everything was going to be okay and not to worry about him. Then he was gone,” said the teen’s father. Read more …

• 02/08/2024 "He had a light in him that was so big." Oklahoma transgender teen dies after physical altercation at school.  "Nex was a straight-A student who enjoyed drawing, reading, playing video games Ark and Minecraft, and was devoted to their cat Zeus," said Nex's mother. Innocent children and bright young adults are dying at the hands of hate and ignorance. Oklahoma anti-LGBTQ legislation must be condemned. NAPAB stands with Nex and the non-binary community. Read more…

• 02/03/2023 Two days after a brutal attack on her way to class by fellow students, 14 year old Adriana Kuch ended her life. Friends state she reported the bullying numerous times but to no avail. “What hurt Adriana was the embarassment and the humiliation” said her grieving father. Read more…

• 01/13/2022 Super sharp, funny, kind 15 year old Nate Bronstein was driven to end his life after having called a meeting with school administrators to report the bullying. Read more…

• 12/3/2021 16 year old Aidan Robert Morrow remembered above all else for his kind heart, his compassion and his empathy toward others. Kind, compassionate, determined to make the world a better place. All of the qualities society holds in esteem.

• 12/3/2021 Beautiful 10 year old Isabella Tichenor died by suicide weeks after serious Dept of Justice report is filed against her school district. Her radiant smile faded after she began 5th grade. Read more…

• 11/27/2021 Kind, gentle 12 year old Eli Fritchley dies by suicide after years of relentless bullying. Even with all the attacks, he never blamed anyone and instead would shine compassion from his gentle soul. Read more…

• 11/10/2021 10 year old Isabella is driven to ending her life Saturday after being tormented with bullying for her race and autism. This after U.S. Dept of Justice had issued “scathing report” of district’s serious mishandling of complaints of racism. Read more…

• 6/17/2021 Two years ago, at age 11, Jamari Dent attempted to end the torment of bullying by hanging himself. He suffered brain injury, loss of vision and hearing and on a ventilator. Today, Jamari died of his injuries. Read more…

• 10/07/2020 Bullying affects students in minority groups disproportionately. Read more…

• 12/3/2020 Victoria Mendez, Napab’s Global C2BK Director is featured in Charity Talks Podcast. Listen here…

• 8/13/2020 New study finds that “Bullying remains a significant risk indicator associated with suicide attempt... Furthermore, our findings indicate a vulnerability to bullying during early adolescence suggesting early, preventive and context-appropriate interventions may be necessary to impact suicide behaviours and to help resolve mental health issues.” Authors suggest prioritizing “school-based intervention models to target both in-person and cyber bullying”. Read more…

• 3/2/20 Bullies kneel and apologize at the funeral of 17 year old Johor Jun after he ended his life as a result of their constant bullying. Read more…

• 2/25/20 Gentle, kind and much loved Cameron Warwick ended his life after relentless bullying, inquest finds. Read more…

• 1/13/20 “International study confirms…the association of being bullied with suicide attempts is the strongest one… Read more…

• 12/5/19 Happy and handsome 8 year old Gabriel Taye ended his life after being bullied and physically attacked. School district wants immunity. Courts rule lawsuit against district can proceed. Read more…

• 11/23/19 Funeral held for 12 year old Tarhiya Sledge, driven to ending her life due to repeated bullying. “She was a little girl who had a light that was shining.” Read more…

• 9/24/19 8 year old elementary student Christian Boynton attacked by bullies at his school to the point of unconsciousness. Read more…

• 9/19/19 13 year old Diego Rivera critically injured and clinging to his life after being assaulted by bullies at school. Read more…

• 9/4/19 Lawsuit filed against Minnesota school district for turning a blind eye to racial bullying. Read more…

• 8/28/19 Superior court rules that students and community organizations can sue the State of California for discriminatory practices. Read more...

• 8/28/19 New study across 48 countries worldwide find adolescents bullied within the past month were 3 times more likely to attempt suicide. Read more…

• 8/9/19 National study finds almost 100% more LGBTQ youth are bullied, threatened or injured with a weapon than heterosexualy youth. Almost 500% more attempt suicide. Read more…

• 7/24/19 Suicide coercion law introduced in Massachusetts would criminalize encouraging a person into suicide. Read more…

• 5/30/19 “Dig a hole and bury yourself”. 14 year old lovely girl with special needs is driven to attempting suicide twice due to relentless bullying. Read more…

• 4/19/19 Handsome, happy 15 year old Nigel Shelby ends his life after homophobic bullying. Read more…

• 4/4/19 After having reported bullying, sweet 14 year old Elina jumped out of a 3rd floor window at school. According to witnesses, school administrators quickly went into cover up mode and blamed family instead. Read more…

• 3/6/19 She wanted to be a nurse. 9 year old Amal Alshteiwi ends her life in her family home after “tireless bullying.” Read more…

• 12/13/18 Bullying in schools leads to mental health problems. Read more…

• 12/3/18 Bubbly, fun loving, beautiful 9 year old McKenzie Nicole Adams of Alabama ended her life after being bullied with racist taunts all year. Read more…

• 11/21/18 “You’re a terrorist.” Death threats sent to Muslim elementary student in her school cubby. Read more…

• 10/20/18 NAPAB holds 7th Annual People’s March Against Bullying - students in Laguna Beach march for peace on campuses everywhere. See more…

• 9/19/18 Honduras Cool 2 Be Kind Macris Chapter registers over 100 student members at their most recent school club fair! Honduras has one of the highest violent crime rates in the world, and these students are fighting all odds to bring kindness and respect to their campus. Read more…

• 6/20/18 Beautiful, socially conscious 12 year old Mallory Grossman ended her life after years of systemic bullying. Parents file suit against district. Read more...

• 6/7/18 NAPAB'S requests for assistance have increased approx. 400% in the past 12 months, year over year. Please consider joining our cause.

• 3/6/18 12 year old Andy Leach ends his life after being bullied for his sexual orientation. Read more...

• 1/24/18 PreTeens charged with cyberbullying another to death. Read more...

• 1/19/18 Beautiful 13 year old Sarah Ullman, loved karate, singing, cheerleading, ended her life this week due to bullying. Read more...

• 1/16/18 Newest study find bullied teens at a higher risk of suicide. Read more...

• 1/4/18 15 year old Deshaun Adderley ended his life last Thursday in the family home as a result of bullying. Father: He had a million dollar smile. Read more...

• 1/4/18 Beautiful 13 year old Rosalie Avila hangs herself after enduring years of bullying. Father: I did everything I was supposed to do as a father and school administration is to blame for ignoring it. Read more...

• 1/4/18 He was only 13 years old. Panel finds student's death was caused by bullying and criticizes school admin for not taking the issue seriously enough. Read more...

• 11/27/17 Sports hazing and bullying is getting worse and demands action. Read more...

• 11/25/17 Perry High School in Ohio under scrutiny after 3 students are bullied and commit suicide in this school year. Read more...

• 6/16/17 17 year old found guilty of manslaughter for texting encouragement of boy to commit suicide. Read more...

• 5/5/17 Number of kids hospitalized for suicidal thoughts doubled over last decade. School drives much of this behavior, study finds. Read more...

• 3/8/17 11 year old Julio Ortiz hangs himself in his family home in Dallas Texas. Mom states middle schooler was bullied and she missed his call for help. Read more...

• 2/3/17 Cool 2 Be Kind Clubs prepare for their national Blue Ribbon Week - a week dedicated to spreading peace and kindness among students everywhere.

• 2/1/17 NAPAB's Cool 2 Be Kind Clubs now number 39 student run anti-bullying clubs nationwide including 2 international in Honduras and Nicaragua.

• 12/6/16 Proud of our El Camino Real Cool 2 Be Kind Club as they plan rally of support for teen victim of assault. December 17, 10 am Platt Village Shopping Center. Read more...

• 5th Annual People's March Against Bullying - Saturday, Oct. 15 at 4:00. Laguna Beach at intersection of 133 and PCH. See video...

• Book Signing Event - Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1:00 San Clemente Public Library. Meet the Author - Anna Mendez. If These Halls Could Talk - the Daniel Mendez Story.

• 8/13/16 - Bullied 13 year-old Danny Fitzpatrick leaves heartbreaking letter after taking his life. Read more...

• 3/30/16 - Don't miss the signs at the doctor's office. Read more...

• 3/14/16 - NAPAB honored third consecutive year by the San Clemente Junior Women's League for positive contributions to community.

• 3/07/16 - Political campaigns and bullying. CBS interviews NAPAB. See interview...

• 3/01/16 - Bright, handsome 17 year old Deon Gillen has ended his life after years of physical and mental abuse from bullies. Diagnosed with anxiety, depression and PTSD as a result of the bullying, his teacher reportedly replied to the bullying complaints "If I didn't see it, I can't do anything about it." Read more...

• 2/12/16 - Rate of suicide deaths among young people continues to climb since 2010.

• 12/18/15 - 16 year old Brandon Hatz inspires others as he expresses torment, vulnerability and pride through his poetry. Read here...

• 10/4/15 - Unchecked bullies become criminals. 11 year old boy murdered 8 year old girl he had been "relentlessly bullying", according to friends. Read more...

• 9/20/15 - NAPAB visits Navajo Indian Reservation School District. View video here.

• 7/5/15 - Smart, witty 13 year old boy jumped in front of an oncoming train and died after writing to teacher about bullying. "I'm worn out. I don't know what will become of myself. May I die?" Head of board of education "We allowed a child to make this choice without lending a helping hand. All we can do is apologize." Read more...

• 5/25/15 - On Friday, 13 year old Jazmine Harris became the 2nd student to end her life in 2 months due to bullying at Copper Basin. Read more...

• 4/29/15 - New study shows bullied children suffer more mental health problems than children maltreated by adults. Read more...

• 4/24/15 - 16 year old Bradley Parkes lies in a coma after attempted suicide. His suicide note reads "I would rather be dead than suffer any more abuse." Read more...

• 4/11/15 - National television spot on CCTV- America highlights NAPAB and Cool 2 Be Kind. Watch here...

• 4/11/15 - NAPAB travels to Shonto - Navajo Indian Reservation School District in answer to their request to help educate at their district wide Anti-Bullying Event.

• 4/10/15 - 16 year old San Diego student Taylor Alesana who spoke on YouTube about dangers of bullying ends her life after relentless bullying. Friends state "She was very supportive of others and all she wanted was acceptance." Read more...

• 4/02/15 - 14 year old Raymond Howell ends his life after asking for a transfer to a different school to escape the bullying. Read more...

• 3/25/15 - Smart, compassionate, beautiful Denver high school student Cait Haynes, accepted into Pre-Med Program at Washington University, ends her life on Tuesday after years of bullying. Read more...

• 12/18/14 - "I'm tired of everyone hating me." The last words spoken by 12 year old Reagan Carter to her mother before ending her life just one week before Christmas. Read more...

• 10/19/14 - NAPAB continues to hold school districts accountable. Read more...

• 10/9/14 - Parents of 12 year old McKenzie Philipot file wrongful death lawsuit against Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools for failing to protect their daughter from bullying. Read more...

• 10/8/14 - New Jersey High School cancels football season due to bullying. Read more...

• 09/20/14 - Come to our 3rd Annual People's March Against Bullying in Laguna Beach (Main Beach) on October 25 from 4:00 to 5:00! Bring the family!

• 09/05/14 - Holocaust survivors commend Cool 2 Be Kind kids for their efforts in eradicating torment, bigotry and abuse among youth today. See more...

• 07/18/14 - 13 year old Jonathan Scaff ends his life after enduring years of bullying. "He got tortured alot" recalls his friend. Read more...

• 07/15/14 - "I can't do school anymore." 14 year old Matthew Burdette's parents file a lawsuit against San Diego Unified School District for ignoring child's abuse by classmates. NAPAB will not publish a link to press article as none can be found that do not violate the child's personal space regarding the final bullying event.

• 07/12/14 - After suicide death and ongoing physical and mental bullying of students, Las Vegas school district wants lawsuit dropped. Read more...

• 06/27/14 - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) brings legal charges against school district for failing to stop bullies. Read more...

• 06/27/14 - The world loses another beautiful child to bullying. 18 year old girl ends her life after being bullied on Facebook. Bully charged with abetment to suicide. Read more...

• 06/23/14 - Victims have a right to fight back! NAPAB interviewed by Cabinet Report regarding Daniel Mendez's last moments of life. Read more...

• 06/10/14 - 12 year old McKenzie Phlipot hangs herself after parents say students and teacher bullied her. Teacher urges community to not allow the event to "define us." Read more...

• 05/22/14 - After contact by NAPAB, Nordstrom Corporate promises to pull hateful muscle t-shirt from all of its stores across the country. "We apologize for any offenses and do not want to promote a bullying message" states corporate exec. See image...

• 05/13/14 - NAPAB conducts breakout session at OC Meeting of the Minds Mental Health Conference. Standing room only. See image...

• 05/06/14 - Beautiful 13 year old Jasmine Sanchez makes video that tells why she was driven to ending her life due to torture from schoolmates. "I couldn't take it anymore. I really couldn't." Read more...

• 04/27/14 - OC Register honors NAPAB with Local Heroes recognition. Read more...

• 04/01/14 - University of California Davis study finds "many victims of bullying don't fit the stereotype." Read more...

• 03/26/14 - New study finds 50% of all teen suicides were related to bullying. Read more...

• 03/12/14 - NAPAB responds to pleas from schools across the country and works with YikYak developers to disable application being utilized by kids to bully kids. Read more...

• 03/09/14 - After mom stops child's suicide attempt, he bursts into tears. "I can't take the pressure of being bullied anymore." Read more...

• 03/01/14 - 13 year old honor roll student Hailee Lamberth left a suicide note: “Please tell my school that I killed myself, so that the next time (name withheld) wants to call somebody (expletives), maybe they won’t.” Devastated father to district officials: "I am not going away." Read more...

• 02/20/14 - 13 year old gifted orator was found with a belt around his neck after being bullied to death. Parents are too distraught to speak publicly. Superintendent pledges to bring in anti-bullying group to speak to all kids in district. Read more...

• 02/01/14 Mendez Interview 93.5 FM.

• 1/05/14 - Beautiful 16 year old Daisy Coleman who reported being raped and bullied attempted suicide on Sunday. Her distraught mother states "She may never be okay". Read more...

• 10/25/13 - Second annual People's March Against Bullying held on Friday, October 25 at 5:00 pm in Laguna Beach. Children, parents and community leaders once again march for kindness in memory of those lost to hate. Watch video...

• 09/16/13 - New study found victims of bullying 2 times more likely to experience psychosomatic demons – including thoughts of suicide. Classifies bullying as a “significant international health problem.” Read more...

• 09/12/13 - "I have chosen to go with 3 people's advice and kill myself" reads suicide note of 15 year old Bart Palosz. School officials promise thorough review of bullying policies. Read more...

• 9/10/13 - Lovely 12 year old Rebecca Ann Sedwick found dead after years of bullying. Read more..

• 8/13/13 - "I'm sorry I have to do this but I'm fed up with the bullying." Suicide note of 13 year old Erin Gallagher. Read more...

• 6/1/13 - Police confirm 12 year old Gabrielle Molina hanged herself because she was being bullied at school. "I was trying to comfort her because she was getting weak," said the distraught father. Read more...

• 5/07/13 - 14 year old honor roll student hangs herself to escape bullying. District: Bullying has not been linked to death. Friends: She was bullied and didn't deserve it. Read more...

• 05/04/13 - "We are all breakable." Yale study confirms bullied victims at greater risk of suicide. Read more...

• 09/05/13 - Bullied to death. School bullying's chilling new front. Read more...

• 06/20/13 - Journal of Adolescent Health publishes University of Minnesota study that concludes strong correlation between bullying and suicidal ideas and behaviors. Read more...

• 05/23/13 - Has bullying become worse than when you were a kid? Child Helpline Int'l reports incidents of bullying more than doubled in 2012 since 2006. Read more...

• 04/08/13 - Beautiful 14 year old Angel Green found hanging from a tree. "It's bullying that killed me," reads her note. "Please seek justice." Read more...

• 04/03/13 - 13 year old Devin Brown hangs himself after relentless bullying. "Everyone is calling me a snitch," he told his father. "There's about 15-20 people who want to jump on me." Father reported it to school officials but "they just kind of let it go." Read full story...

• 03/13/13 - Another mother weeps over her child's suicide due to bullying. Child's suicide note names his five aggressors. Read more...

• 03/08/13 - OC Register reports: Mendez Family leads campaign to end culture of bullying in memory of 16 year old suicide victim Daniel Mendez. Read more...

• 02/06/13 - Beautiful Ashley Riggitano jumps off the Washington Bridge to her death. Her suicide note names her five bullies. Read more...

• 12/12/12 - Lovely Tampa Bay teen Jessica Laney hangs herself after intense bullying. Friends say they are not pleased with denials from school district. Read more...

• 11/25/13 - Charges dropped against kids accused of bullying Rebecca Sedwick to death. Jose Baez, attorney for Casey Anthony, states "there is zero evidence having to do with my client that ould rise to the level of a criminal act." And therein lies the problem. Read more...

• 11/15/12 - Three promising students take their lives within 7 week period. Bullying and social media the common thread. Read more...

• 11/11/12 - Kind, thoughtful Tim Ribberink takes his life after years of being ridiculed. Leaves heartbreaking note to his parents. Read more...

• 10/27/12 - Today's bullies, tomorrow's criminals. Department of Justice finally becomes involved. Read more...

• 10/24/12 - 15 year old Felicia Garcia leaped to her death in front of a passing train after being repeatedly bullied. Press already focuses on her "troubled life." Bullying can be the singular direct cause of the suicide or the final determining factor to a child ending their life. Read more...

• 10/19/12 - KTLA news coverage / NAPAB hosts 1st Annual People's March Against Bullying. See video...

• 10/20/12 - Grand Jury Report requests response from Capistrano Unified School District and other districts regarding deficiencies in addressing bullying in schools. See CUSD response to Grand Jury Report. Read more...

• 10/20/12 - Laguna Patch coverage of People's March Against Bullying. See video and article...

• 10/19/12 - KTLA news coverage / NAPAB hosts 1st Annual People's March Against Bullying. See video...

• 10/14/12 - Vancouver press interview Jonah Mowry and Anna Mendez of NAPAB regarding most recent teen suicide, Amanda Todd. Read more...

• 10/12/12 - Beautiful Canadian teen Amanda Todd ended her life Wednesday after a polonged battle with bullying. Read more...

• 10/10/12 - News crews witness boy bullied prior to being interviewed for anti-bullying teen interview. Read more...

• 9/25/12 - Bullying takes another teen. 17 year old Dustin VanLaningham ended his life Saturday after seeing no other way out. He loved to draw, play guitar, fish and hunt. Most of all, he loved his family. Read more...

• 9/06/12 - Lawsuit filed against school and individuals in suicide death of 15 year old Billy Lucas. Before taking his life, he said "Mom, you don't know what it's like walk down the halls of school and be afraid of who's going to hit you, who's going to kick you." Read more...

• 8/24/12 - 12 year old boy takes his life Tuesday, after crying the day before that he did not want to go to school. Friends say he was bullied. Read more...

• 8/15/12 - Parents sue "mean girls" and their parents for tormenting their daughter, vandalizing their home. Read more...

• 7/22/12 - Signs of bullying go unheeded by school officials; leads to boy's suicide. Read more...

• 7/03/12 - 7 year old attempts suicide as a result of being bullied after administrators repeatedly fail to take action. Read more...

• 6/18/12 - Beautiful 14 year old girl found hanged in her room after falling victim to bullies. Read more...

• 6/17/12 - After son's suicide, parents fight for truth. Read more...

• 5/24/12 - 7 year old child hangs himself after being bullied. Read more...

• 5/11/12 - Loving 15 year old girl found hanged in her room after relentless bullying at the hands of classmates. Read more...

• 5/08/12 - Sweet 13 year old girl commits suicide after months of bullying. Read more...

• 4/25/12 - Teacher caught bullying autistic boy after father secretly wires child. Read more...

• 4/15/12 - 14 year old boy takes his life after intense bullying. Prompts strong anti-bullying statement and call to action from Iowa paper. Read more...

• 3/9/12 - 14 year old bullied girl's last words were "I love you, Daddy." Read more...

Creative Writing Contest Winners 2022

Read this year’s winning entries from our youth anti-bullying creative writing contest hosted by our Cool 2 Be Kind chapters as part of Blue Ribbon Week.

Simone north- High school wiNNER

natalie hernandez- middle school winner

If you or your child is being bullied in school or you require training or a presentation, please contact us. Please include the city, state where you are located and best contact phone number as well as pertinent background information regarding your request.

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