As national Bullying Prevention month kicks off October 1, schools across the nation are drawing attention to its detrimental effects. Students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community officials are working together to stomp out bullying by coming together to say enough is enough.

The awareness month draws national attention to the issue and schools across the country have worked hard to create safe environments where anti-bullying messages are at the forefront yearlong.

South Central Local Schools in Ohio provides an anonymous hotline to students to report instances of bullying or other threatening behavior using Instant Connect as a part of its efforts to keep students safe.

"It’s all about putting the power into the right hands … and taking it away from those who threaten, intimidate and hate," stated David Brand, Superintendent of South Central Local Schools.

At Beaver Area School District in Pennsylvania and Northern Wells Community Schools in Indiana, Instant Connect is bundled with eSchoolView’s K-12 school content management system (CMS) software for website development and hosting. It gives the students an anonymous voice and a safe place where they can let school authorities know they need help.

“A two-way alert system helps build a positive school environment,” eSchoolView Executive Director, Rob O'Leary said. “Callers are able to communicate anonymously in real time with someone who can — and will — help.”

"Administrators, counselors, teachers, and students can do a lot to create an environment where bullying is not tolerated and create a place of protection where response to the threatening behavior is swift," O'Leary said. "We are seeing more and more schools looking for a solution that really allows students to take control.

Anti-bullying hotlines such as Instant Connect can also add an extra layer of protection where schools can also use the system to prevent fights, problems on the bus, theft, cheating, planned school violence or threats of bringing weapons to school.

eSchoolView's software goes one step further, providing schools with the ability to employ a panic button, creating a dedicated silent-alert, speed-dial number. Teachers can send a text to the number, which sends an immediate notification to crisis support staff in times of need. The software can be a standalone system or integrate with the school website CMS.

eSchoolView partners with Teen Nation Tour to help end bullying. Visit TeenNationTour.com to view where they are playing next. Remember to teach kindness because this will lead to less bullying.