Developing Self-Worth, Empathy, and Respect for Diversity: Decreasing Bullying in Schools

Bullying remains a pervasive issue in schools, workplaces, and online communities. The Anti-Bullying Alliance reported from the pupil bullying and wellbeing questionnaires that “25% of pupils stated that they were bullied a lot or always with Pupils in receipt of Free School Meals (28%) and those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) (29%) are significantly more likely to be frequently bullied” (Anti-Bullying Alliance - Pupil Wellbeing & Bullying Report, 2024).

It’s a behavior that not only causes harm to its victims but also perpetuates cycles of emotional and social damage. While policies and interventions targeting bullying are crucial, one powerful approach to reducing bullying lies in developing self-worth, empathy, and respect for diversity. When individuals recognise their own value, understand others’ perspectives, and respect differences, bullying behavior can significantly diminish. By using stormbreak to gain a shared understanding of relationships and an increased knowledge of self-worth we can begin to create an environment where bullying has no place.

Increasing Self-Worth

At stormbreak we describe self-worth as one's ‘ability to recognise their value and worth, and are confident in their place in the world around them, their belief in themselves and their ability to strive towards their goals’. Watch our self-worth animation to learn more.

At the heart of bullying is often an insecurity within the person who engages in it. People who bully others may do so to feel more powerful or to mask their own feelings of inadequacy. A focus on building self-worth and positive self-esteem can help individuals celebrate their uniqueness and recognise their value beyond comparing themselves to others - they are able to feel inspired by others' success rather than feeling threatened.  When someone is comfortable in their own skin, they are less likely to target others to validate their own worth.  

Building self-worth starts with understanding that everyone is unique and valuable. Encouraging open dialogue about personal strengths, passions, and achievements can help individuals, especially young people, develop a sense of pride in who they are. When self-worth is nurtured, individuals are more likely to uplift others instead of putting them down. This shift in perspective makes it harder for bullying behavior to take root.

Fostering an environment where people appreciate and respect differences instead of using them as reasons for exclusion or mistreatment is key. The diversity of human experiences is something to be celebrated, not feared or ridiculed. Individuals should be encouraged to recognise the beauty in differences rather than focus on their perceived “flaws” or “differences.”

Some great stormbreaks to try to help children start to develop a self-worth include Rocktars and Friendship & Empathy. Through our dedicated training programme Surge we work with schools to show them how to embed this into the everyday lives of children. 

2. Awareness of Relationships

As human-beings we are wired for connection, the relationships we build with others, whether friendships, family bonds, or romantic connections, shape our identity and our actions. Having a better awareness of relationships plays a key role in reducing bullying by emphasising the interconnectedness we all share. At stormbreak we describe relationships as the ‘ability to know how to form, develop and sustain quality, meaningful and appropriate relationships with a range of people’. Watch this relationship animation to learn more. 

Stormbreak promotes small but regular moments to connect and share our own experiences of feelings and emotions, playing a key role in promoting awareness of relationships by encouraging people to listen to others without judgment. This simple practice fosters respect and understanding, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings that can often fuel bullying.

Stormbreak will help to build the emotional intelligence of the children who take part in it,  developing their ability to recognise, respond and regulate  their own emotions and also begin to become increasingly empathetic and understand the emotions of others. This ability to recognise feelings of others and to show empathy, noticing how others are feeling by their expression and behaviours. 

Empathy is an essential skill for cultivating healthy relationships and is one of the most effective tools for combating bullying. A lack of empathy is often a significant contributor to bullying behavior. When individuals fail to consider the feelings of others, they may engage in harmful behavior without understanding the pain it causes.

Teaching and practicing empathy can make a transformative difference in reducing bullying by allowing individuals to see beyond their own experiences and connect with the humanity in others. When we empathise with others, we naturally develop a desire to treat them with kindness and respect. 

Some useful stormbreaks to try that will support the development of relationships include Lily Pad Leaps and Roll With It.

Ultimately, decreasing bullying isn’t just about putting a stop to harmful behaviors. It’s about creating a culture where self-worth, relationships, empathy, and respect for diversity are the cornerstones of our interactions. When individuals feel confident in who they are, understand the impact of their actions, and value the differences in others, bullying will find no place. 

By fostering a mindset of kindness and inclusion, we can reduce bullying and build communities that thrive on mutual respect and understanding. The power to end bullying doesn’t just lie in stopping negative behaviors; it lies in creating positive change—one relationship, one act of empathy, and one respect for diversity at a time.

To find out more about stormbreak and how we can help you improve relationships and self-worth in your setting please visit www.stormbreak.org.uk, email hello@stormbreak.org.uk ​ or find out more about our dedicated primary schools programme here.

Darryl Walsh

Director of School Operations at stormbreak