Dharmic Sabha moves to combat bullying, abuse in schools 

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) on Saturday made a strong move towards limiting peer pressure, bullying and general abuse in local public and private schools.

This was done by way of an educational counselling forum at the organization’s Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik  Kendra in Prashad Nagar

Over 260 Students from schools in Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, East and West Coast Berbice and Upper Corentyne attended the event.

The forum was steered by Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud, President of the Dharmic Sabha, who said she was pleased with the turnout by schools in support of the initiative.

Insightful presentations were made by a competent line up of experienced medical, mental and social health practitioners including Pediatrician Dr Rohan Jabour, Professor of Behavioral Sciences and Psychiatrist Dr Davendrand Sharma and life coach, social worker and counsellor Dr Jo Ann Rowland.

Dr Jo Ann Rowland educated students on what constitutes physical abuse while alerting them on the importance of speaking out and reporting any instances of abuse they face or witness.

Dr Davendrand Sharma addressed bullying.

“Bullies are not stupid people. They’re smart, they’re credible, they’re charming.

“They can be funny; they use their funny ways to make people laugh at their victims.”

But he cautioned: “They are not funny; don’t laugh with them just because someone is different.”

Dr Persaud thanked the Ministry of Education, parents of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha along with heads and teachers of the various schools for making the event a success.

The organization hosted this event as the first of a series of awareness sessions in mental health and social issues targeting youth.