District leaders on Tuesday will address bullying and how to prevent it in Wake County Public Schools.

Wake County Board of Education member Roxie Cash has encouraged her peers to revisit the district's anti-bullying policy. On Tuesday. members will discuss the district's current anti-bullying policies, including what’s working and not working to protect students on campus.

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Cash, who works in a hospital, said she sees the distress and mental health needs firsthand among young people across the Triangle. She told WRAL News the biggest problem the school system is facing is cyberbullying, which happens off campus, making it difficult for school leaders to take action.

Cash is advocating for the school board to examine the federal laws that are holding them back from a zero-tolerance discipline policy. She’s also suggesting the board request more funding for mental health specialists.

"We know that our state is not funding our psychologists and our counselors," Cash said. "At the normal level, we're not anywhere near a standard level for that kind of funding, and I think [now] is more important than anytime for our state to come in and put as many counselors, as many psychologists, social workers, if possible, in our schools."

In September, 13-year-old Austin Pendergrass took his own life at Wendell Middle School. His family said he was bullied, and they felt that contributed to him taking his own life.

Cash also wants the school system to launch a campaign to bring more awareness to Wake County Public Schools' "See Something Say Something" tip line to keep schools safe, 919-856-1911.

Marisa Marraccini, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor who specializes in suicide prevention, said 1 in 5 children consider attempting suicide. Bullying can be hard to recognize and even intervene in, according to Marraccini.

"Often times, those who bully may be bullied too and struggling with mental health conditions, and those who are victims of bullying have other things going on too," said Marraccini.

Marraccini said research shows bullying is a risk factor for suicide.

"We find there is depression, hopelessness or physiological mediating factor. Bullying is critically important for us to address," she said.