-- Several teens face serious charges in Massachusetts, accused of bullying a girl who ended up taking her own life. New numbers show one in seven kids are involved in bullying. More and more kids are picking on others or being bullied themselves.
Already this year, at least two other teens have committed suicide in other states after being threatened and harassed at school.
Child psychologists say bullying used to be more one-on-one and more physical. Today, it's far more emotional and psychological -- especially among teenaged girls. Experts agree when bullying goes unresolved for too long, the effects can become extremely harmful -- even deadly.
"It's now an everyday thing that I hear," said family therapist Pamela Goldberg.
Goldberg says children as young as six and seven actually talk about killing themselves to escape the pain caused by other kids at school.
"Kids are meaner today -- they are way meaner today," she said. "They are relentless. They work in packs."
Goldberg warns that chronic bullying can lead to a lack of self-esteem, depression, rage, and even suicide.
"When these kids want to harm themselves because its gone too far and they feel there is no way out, then that is as harmful as a gun," she said.
That's why Goldberg created Camp Make Believe, a social and emotional learning program for kids ages 5 through 12.
Shannon Dillinger says she enrolled her 9-year-old daughter Molly in Camp Make Believe after she started turning into a little bully.
"She started feeling better about herself immediately within the first two to three sessions," she said.
Through fun activities, children learn how to express their feelings appropriately, build empathy for others, manage their moods, and recognize a trashy trick when they see it.
Jacqueline Lefkowitz says Camp Make Believe helped her 6-year-old son Hunter deal with his growing fear, anxiety and rage following a serious car accident. She says he's now teaching her.
"I hear it at least once a week, 'Mommy, don't change the subject. You're doing a trashy trick and just trying to get your way,'" she said.
Camp Make Believe is an eight-month long social and emotional learning program that takes place after school and on Saturdays. It's also being taught at 15 high-risk schools around the valley.
