Helping students be ‘happier and less worried’: A conversation with Elizabeth Englander

Bullying has been a well-recognized problem for schoolchildren for many years, but the attitudes and potential solutions to bullying have evolved. Once it was believed that schools and adults should not intervene in bullying among children, but now we know that educators can and should create a safe climate for all their students.

Attitudes about students’ mental health have changed, too, and educators have become increasingly aware they can play a role in improving their students’ mental health. School closures, family upheaval, and social isolation during the pandemic had a negative effect on many students, and the need to address students’ mental health needs has become a more urgent concern.

For perspective on these trends and changes, Phi Delta Kappan spoke with Elizabeth Englander. She is the founder and executive director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University. The center provides resources and training to more than 400 schools every year. Englander, a professor of psychology, is nationally recognized for her research in bullying and cyberbullying, childhood causes of aggression and abuse, and children’s use of technology.