How Bullying Affects Mental Health

Art by Kalie Yang

Those who are bullied often experience both short-term and long-term effects either physically or emotionally. Bullying can affect one’s self-esteem and increase the risk of mental health problems. 

CDC defines bullying as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. Bullying can include aggression that is physical (hitting, tripping), verbal (name calling, teasing), or relational/social (spreading rumors, leaving out of group). Bullying can also occur through technology and is called electronic bullying or cyberbullying. A young person can be a perpetrator, a victim, or both (also known as “bully/victim”).

The effects of bullying on mental health

Death, severe physical harm, social isolation, and emotional distress have all been connected to bullying. Additionally, it increases the likelihood of experiencing depression, anxiety, insomnia, poor academic performance, and dropout. Young people who bully others are more likely to use drugs, struggle in school, and experience violence as they get older. The worst consequences and increased risk of behavioral and mental health problems are experienced by youth who bully others and are bullied themselves.

The effects of bullying have serious and lasting negative impacts on our mental health and overall well-being. Bullying can cause feelings of rejection, exclusion, isolation, low self-esteem, and some individuals can develop depression and anxiety as a result. In some cases it can even develop into Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Research has shown that being a victim of bullying can lead to longer term impacts including interpersonal violence, substance use, sexual violence, poor social functioning, and poor performance. Even witnessing bullying can impact one’s wellbeing.

Being bullied when as a child can have long-lasting effects on an individual's psychological health. Children develop their personalities, identifying roles, and discovering who they are during these formative years. Bullying can cause issues with self-esteem, anger, and trust in other people in young people. If you didn't have any relationships when you were younger, it can be challenging to build them as you get older. When we receive criticism about who we are or what we do on a regular basis, we develop a negative self-image and assume that others will feel the same way about us.

Bullying frequently leaves us with unresolved emotions, which can develop into resentment toward other people or toward ourselves. Long-term victims of bullying may start to blame themselves for the abuse they have received. "If I wasn't so ugly, people would leave me alone," or "If I tried harder, people wouldn't make fun of me," are examples of such thoughts. The kinds of thoughts we have have the power to alter how we view and feel about ourselves and have lasting effects.

Resources 

Government of Canada – Bullying Resources https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/bullying.html Find information on how to recognize and prevent bullying. 

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/bullying.html Bullying in the Workplace. Good general information about workplace bullying. 

The Canadian Safe School Network http://www.canadiansafeschools.com The Canadian Safe School Network (CSSN) is a national, charitable organization dedicated to reducing youth violence and making our schools and communities safer. 

Kids Help Phone http://www.kidshelpphone.ca Kids Help Phone has a website called “Let’s Talk About Bullying.” It has a page for grown ups with links to resources about bullying.