Numbers show a small percentage of students report bullying to parents
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX) — The passing of Devin Kelley is raising concerns for some parents about how they should speak to their kids about bullying.
According to stopbullying.gov, a website that aims to prevent bullying, only 20-30 percent of students who are bullied notify adults.
Sal Montelongo is the director of an anti-bullying organization in El Paso called Lucid Love.
He says he was heartbroken when he heard about the passing of Devin Kelley.
"When I heard about it, I was kind of distraught because I was thinking what could I have done because we've gone through this before with Veronica's son Sebastian,” said Montelongo.
Veronica is Montelongo's girlfriend whose son Sebastian who reportedly died after being bullied. They created Lucid Love so that other parents don’t have to go through what they went through. Montelongo says most kids who are bullied don't speak out because they don't want to look weak or insecure.
"Talk to somebody, it's OK to talk to somebody. It does not make you less of a person to talk to somebody about your problems. In fact, it makes you more of a person to let people know what you are going through so somebody can help you."
Montelongo also says parents need to create an environment where their children are comfortable enough to talk to them.
"Talk to your child and get to know your child. Don't just push them to the side say he's an adolescent, these are growing pains, this is what they're going through. No. Understand our son or daughter."
Montelongo wants anyone who is suffering from bullying to reach out to them at lucidlove.org.
Their resources are available for parents and children.
"I am here for you. Let me know what I can do and I will be there for you,” said Montelongo.
