HOW DOES IT AFFECT A CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH?

Many adults still think of bullying as “just teasing” or something that every child experiences growing up. However, from a psychological perspective, bullying is a far more serious issue that can have a significant and long-lasting impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.

WHAT IS BULLYING?

Bullying is not simply a disagreement or an occasional argument between children. It has three defining characteristics:

• it happens repeatedly over time,
• there is an imbalance of power between those involved,
• the behaviour is intended to hurt, intimidate or exclude another person.

Bullying can take many different forms, including verbal abuse, name-calling, humiliation, social exclusion, spreading rumours, physical aggression and cyberbullying through social media or messaging platforms.

WHY CAN “BANTER” BE HARMFUL?

People often say things like, “It’s only a joke,” “Children have always been like this,” or “They need to toughen up.” The problem is that what feels like harmless banter to one person can be deeply upsetting to another.

If a child:

• feels hurt or embarrassed,
• fears being judged or rejected by their peers,
• begins avoiding school or social situations,

then their experience should never be dismissed. What matters most is how the child feels, not how others describe the behaviour.

WHY DON’T CHILDREN TELL ANYONE?

Many children never speak about being bullied. There are many reasons why they stay silent, including:

• shame or self-blame,
• fear that the bullying will become worse,
• believing that adults will not help,
• worrying about being labelled a “snitch” or “tell-tale.”

Some children try to cope on their own, often at the expense of their own emotional wellbeing.

HOW CAN BULLYING AFFECT A CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH?

Experiencing bullying over a prolonged period can have a profound effect on a child’s emotional development. It may lead to:

• low self-esteem,
• anxiety and constant stress,
• symptoms of depression,
• social withdrawal or, in some cases, aggressive behaviour,
• difficulties with concentration and learning.

These are not signs of weakness. They are natural responses to ongoing emotional stress and repeated negative experiences.

WHAT CAN PARENTS AND ADULTS DO?

The most important step is to listen carefully and take the child’s experiences seriously. Instead of dismissing their concerns, it is helpful to:

• ask open-ended questions,
• acknowledge and validate their emotions,
• seek professional support if the situation continues.

For many children, psychotherapy provides a safe and supportive environment where they can process difficult experiences, rebuild their confidence and develop healthier ways of coping with challenging emotions. Early intervention can make a significant difference and help prevent long-term emotional difficulties.