Bullying is one of the biggest problems in adolescents around the world, which is why the government of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul has set it as a priority in its health campaign. “An unprecedented association with education in the fight against bullying and school absenteeism”. This is how he announced this unprecedented proposal in a video.

And so much so that it is unprecedented, because his proposal to combat bullying is to offer aesthetic operations. “Reconstructive plastic surgeries” from a very young age: separate ears can be operated on for free from the age of 5.

After registering at least 142 complaints for this type of harassment last year, the state governor has decided to finance the operations through public health for adolescents with nose, squint and breast reduction They believe that with this they will be able to reduce the school absenteeism that produces the fear of confronting the bullies.

A controversial measure that psychology experts do not support. “I think it’s barbaricput the focus on a physical issue that if that is operated, well the situation will change… it will not,” explained Eric Valls, an expert psychologist in Health and Education. In addition, Valls is committed to acting against the bullying together: “The key to alleviating bullying is to involve the students, teachers and families”.

The measure approved by this regional government of Brazil focuses on the victim and not on the aggressorsin addition to promoting this type of intervention in a country where at least two and a half million people have undergone surgery for aesthetic reasons.