PREVENTING AND COMBATING BULLYING: AN ANALYSIS OF HELP TEAMS

Bullying is one of the biggest challenges faced by schools, deeply impacting students' emotional health and development. Recognized as a form of systematic violence by the World Health Organization (WHO), bullying has serious consequences, ranging from anxiety and social withdrawal to lasting psychological problems. In Brazil, the National School Health Survey (PENSE, 2022) reveals that one in five young people engages in bullying. This study aims to discuss strategies to prevent and combat bullying, focusing on the implementation of Help Teams, a form of youth leadership that promotes healthy coexistence and reduces violence. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, based on a literature review and analysis of documentary and legislative data, including studies by Tognetta (2022), Loch et al. (2020), and Allen and Kern (2017). The results indicate that Help Teams are an effective strategy to improve school climate and student well-being, providing a reduction in cases of bullying. However, implementation faces challenges, such as a lack of resources and the need for ongoing training for educators. The study concludes that, for schools to become spaces for welcoming and preventing conflicts, a collective effort from the school community, institutional support and well-implemented public policies are necessary, with youth leadership as a fundamental tool.