The person who coined the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me,” may not have had all the facts. In fact, name-calling can have a major effect on a person’s physical and mental health. Child victims of all ages have more physical complaints than their peers, including headaches, stomachaches and mouth sores. And, victims and bullies are both more likely to be depressed or have thoughts of suicide. While any child can be bullied, there are certain risk factors that make some kids more vulnerable. Here are a few:

• Shy demeanor or lacking close friends
• Overprotective parents or family in crisis
• Different racial or ethnic background than the other kids
• Physical disabilities or special educational needs
• Provocative or inappropriate behavior

Here’s what parents can do:

• Ask your child about unusual behavior, bruises or torn clothing.
• Let him know you’re concerned and want to help.
• Encourage discussion by sharing your own experiences.
• Explain that ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.
• Brainstorm together about a plan of action.
• Find out how the school protects students from bullies.
• Learn more about your child’s social network.

Here are a few additional suggestions for parents:

• Work on building a warm relationship with your child.
• Spend more time together that’s non-instructional.
• Encourage participation in structured activities.
• Invite friends to the house or take them on fun outings.
• Build your child’s confidence with participation in after-school sports.
• Role-play appropriate responses to bullies.