Do it for Dolly Day: The Everett family’s call to fight bullying, five years after her daughter’s tragic suicide
If Australian mom Kate Everett could turn back the clock, she’d tell her little girl Dolly to speak up and ask for help.
That opportunity was taken forever when the 14-year-old committed suicide in January 2018 after persistent online bullying.
Watch more about Do it for Dolly Day in the video above
For more health and wellness news and videos, visit Health and Wellness >>
Her death sent shockwaves across the country, and five years later, the Everetts are using their grief to combat bullying and prevent other families from going through the same nightmare.
Amy’ Dolly’ Everett committed suicide in 2018 after prolonged bullying. Her family wants to prevent others from experiencing the same drama. Credit: AAP
The Northern Territory family launched a charity in the name of their darling Dolly and created Do it for Dolly Day – an annual bullying awareness day on May 13 to encourage families to start conversations.
“The loss of a child changes a family forever,” Everett told 7NEWS.com.au, “but creating Dolly’s Dream has helped us heal.”
A lasting legacy
Dolly’s story touched people’s hearts nationwide and sparked the family’s plan to channel their grief into something bigger.
They launched Dolly’s Dream and Did it for Dolly Day in 2018 to be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.
The organization aims to help change the culture of bullying and raise awareness about its devastating impact on young people and their families.
Telling the family’s tragic story does take its toll, Everett said, but the impact they’ve had on the lives of others makes it all worth it.
“Dolly’s Dream allows us to focus on what can come out of this positively; it’s Dolly’s legacy,” she said, adding that it helps the family find comfort and healing.
“It does take an emotional toll, and we find it taxing.
Kate and Tick Everett want families to talk to their kids about bullying on Friday before Do it for Dolly Day. Credit: AAP
“The ability to come home and be at home with our family is sorely needed after that.”
But it’s the stories of families who have taken the first step to open up about bullying that make it all worth it, Everett said.
“Those positive messages wake us up and make us feel like we’ve contributed to society by helping other parents navigate these difficult situations,” she said.
Dolly’s older sister Meg takes on a new role as a charity ambassador, looking to be a spokesperson for young people and honor the memory of her little sister.
“She has had a huge effect on this world, and I want to make sure no one forgets her name,” she said.
“Dolly needs to be remembered for bringing kindness to this world.”
Use your voice
Recent research shows that half of the young people have experienced hurtful or annoying online behavior in the past year.
Despite most children telling their parents about bullying experiences, the research suggests that many parents don’t understand how severely these experiences affect their children.
Bullying can be a daunting topic, but speaking up is the most important step, Everett said.
“Asking for help is hard; the first step is always the hardest,” she said, but once you open that door, “there are people ready to help.”
Dolly’s Dream has created initiatives to share resources with parents and recently launched a free support line with a mental health professional.
“The calls just keep coming, showing a need,” Everett said.
During this Do it for Dolly Day, the Everetts encourage families to converse with their little ones.
“No one deserves to be bullied,” Everett said.
“Some teens hide their experiences of online bullying so well that their families have no idea that something is wrong.”
Dolly Everett’s family urges young people to speak out about the toxic online culture.
Watch the powerful anti-bullying campaign inspired by Dolly Everett
How to start the conversation?
The best way to talk to kids about bullying is to speak in a calm, controlled manner, so they know it’s not their fault if they’re a victim, psychologist Charlotte Keating said.
If parents suspect their child is being bullied, it’s best to stay calm, suggests Keating.
“Try to get to the bottom of what’s going on so you can take the steps you need to take to prevent it or collect the evidence, report it, and block it if necessary,” she said.
Keating suggests starting conversations on the topic while kids are young and continuing these discussions as they grow up.
She said it also lets them know how you feel about bullying and how you would react if they came to you for support.
“These are not one-off conversations. As young people grow, social experiences become more complex, and bullying can become more sophisticated,” Keating said.
“The more willing we are to have open, curious conversations with young people about bullying – what their beliefs about bullying are and its consequences, what they would do if they faced a bullying situation, how they would like to deal with it – how greater the chance we will have to help them build resilience and skills to cope, including seeking your support.
“They will also be better prepared to support a peer who may also be experiencing it.”
Play video
Dolly Everett was driven to suicide after being bullied online.
Dolly Everett was driven to suicide after being bullied online.
Always work to do
This Friday, Dolly’s Dream calls on the community to participate in anti-bullying activities to raise money and share the message “be nice and speak even when your voice is shaking”.
The Everetts are proud of how much they’ve accomplished in Dolly’s legacy over the past five years, but they say much more needs to be done.
“We’ve always said it’s a community-wide approach — government, schools, families, and sports groups,” Everett said.
“There is always work to be done.
“It’s up to us to keep building; we must start somewhere.”
If you need help during a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For more information about depression, contact Beyondblue at 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional, or someone you trust.
