This week marks anti-bullying week and Cavan woman Chloe Heaslip has called for more awareness around the issue in schools and workplaces across this region. Chloe's brother Eden died by suicide in September 2021 after he was subjected to a sustained campaign of bullying.
Chloe and her family set up 'Be Buddies Not Bullies' in memory of Eden and she has been nominated for a Volunteer of the Year award as a result of her work with the campaign.
She says the initiative has really helped to create more awareness in schools and workplaces throughout Ireland, and helped people to think more about the devastating impact their words and actions can have on another person.
Chloe told Northern Sound that words and actions affect everyone differently. "I have been invited to a school in Ballyhaunis next week and that is part of their anti-bullying week. I will be chatting to every year group about the consequences of bullying and what can happen if it's really bad.
"I will also be talking about the different types of bullying as well. It's about creating more awareness and helping people from a young age to realise that there are consequences to bullying. I have also been going into workplaces as well.
"As I said before, bullying doesn't just happen in schools; it happens right across the country in every situation. Somebody somewhere has been affected by bullying," Chloe added.
