I. Bullying Stories Survey
Please share your stories and questions related to bullying by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/6bgnQVbpX7mK86L9A
II. Presentation (ACR)
The Trauma-Informed Response Initiative (TRI) provides resources to be supportive, inclusive, and bias-resistant while responding to challenging behaviors and maintaining consistent, effective boundaries for a positive environment for all. One TRI project is the “Bullying” Breakdown Template. Below is the description and replay from our Association for Conflict Resolution Program introducing the template.
Breaking Down Bullying: Empowering Tools to Address “Bully” Behaviors
Dan Berstein is a mediator living with bipolar disorder who created the Trauma-Informed Response Initiative after he was accused of bullying while complaining about the distress he felt when he perceived he was being targeted for restricted communication. He connected with Bryan Hanson after seeing Bryan’s resources focused on Disrupting Academic Bullying. Bryan became interested in this topic as the Ombuds for the Graduate School Community at Virginia Tech. Together they created a “Bullying” Breakdown template designed to help conflict resolvers analyze the behaviors and boundaries for all stakeholders involved in bullying complaints. Dan and Bryan will share these tools, and case study examples of how they can help conflict resolvers respond to bullying concerns in a holistic way.
About the Presenters
Bryan Hanson is an ombuds, educator, mediator, facilitator, and leader in the field of conflict engagement. Currently, he is the ombuds for the Graduate School at Virginia Tech. In this role, he works with members of the Graduate School community so they may engage in and manage conflict in a constructive way. This is achieved through conversations aimed at creating a greater understanding of the university system and a deeper awareness of productive ways to communicate the concerns related to the conflicts experienced. Bryan holds an EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University and a Masters in Organizational Psychology from John F. Kennedy University.
Dan Berstein is a mediator living with bipolar disorder. Since 2012, Dan’s company MH Mediate has helped professionals, organizations, and government agencies address challenging behaviors without discriminating against people who have mental health conditions. His book, Mental Health and Conflicts, was published by the American Bar Association in 2022. After interpersonal struggles and bipolar symptoms led to Dan’s termination from the ABA, he launched civility resources to help people navigate distress, tough topics, and obstacles without becoming dysregulated and unprofessional. Dan holds degrees from the Wharton School and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
III. “Bullying” Breakdown Template
“Bullying” Breakdown Template – Access the template by clicking here. To get involved in this project, e-mail tri@mhsafe.org
IV. More TRI Resources
The Trauma-Informed Response Initiative (TRI – pronounced “try”) provides resources to be supportive, inclusive, and bias-resistant while responding to challenging behaviors and maintaining consistent, effective boundaries for a positive environment for all.
TRI helps people stop before writing another person off, and instead try to have trauma-informed, procedurally-fair practices for setting boundaries for challenging behaviors in consistent, empowering, and accessible ways.
Access other TRI resources at https://www.mhsafe.org/TRI