One in four Australian school students between years 4 and 9 are being bullied. One in seven of them won’t tell anyone. That’s over 340,000 young people staying silent.
Dolly Everett was one of those students being bullied. Tragically, she was only 14 when she took her life in January 2018, following relentless and sustained bullying and cyber bullying.
Determined that no other family would suffer from the same devastation, Dolly’s parents, Tick and Kate Everett, established the anti-bullying organisation, Dolly’s Dream. They are committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide, through awareness, education and direct support to young people and families.
This May on Do It For Dolly Day the Everett family are encouraging everyone to help break the silence around bullying.
Psychologist and Dolly’s Dream advisory board member, Dr Charlotte Keating agreed that “As parents, carers, educators or concerned family or friends, each one of us can choose to have the critical conversations that will help end the cycle of bullying.”
This is why resources such as the Dolly’s Dream Support Line are critical. This free, 24-hour telephone service provides a way for young people anywhere across Australia to connect with a trained counsellor who is ready to listen and help.
This invaluable support service was only made possible with the funds raised by our generous supporters and the wider community.
Every year in May we see thousands of wonderful communities come together to remember Dolly, participate in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work of Dolly’s Dream, and share the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.
On Friday 12 May, Do It For Dolly and donate to help make Dolly’s own dream of a kinder and safer world for Australia’s kids and communities a reality.
For more information visit: www.doitfordollyday.org.au