Study Links Severe Bullying to Mental Disorders and Suicide in Teen Years

1. Study Study Links S Links Severe Bully evere Bullying ing to to Mental Disorders Mental Disorders and and Suicide Suicide in in Teen Years Teen Years Bullying is a regular occurrence in childhood. An unwanted and aggressive behavior usually observed among school-going children, bullying might involve attacking someone physically or verbally, making threats, laughing at someone’s appearance, excluding a person from a group and spreading rumors. While the physical aspects are easy to identify, bullying can also occur secretly through gossip, smartphones or Internet. Victims of bullying can experience emotional and psychological hurt and humiliation. Whether bullying or being bullied, it can result in serious and long-lasting effects on health and overall well- being of youth. Some of the outcomes can be anxiety, depression, substance sexual violence, poor academic performance, low attendance and even poor functioning. Additionally, both the perpetrators and victims of bullying are at an increased risk of suicide-related behavior. negative mental abuse, social A recent Canadian study further clarifies the relationship between bullying and mental disorders by establishing that people severely bullied as children are exposed to mental health problems and suicide attempts during their teen years. Bullying victims prone to depression, suicidal thoughts For their study, researchers used data from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development that followed more than 1,300 children born in 1997 and 1998 in Quebec for 15 years since their birth. As per the study results, about 15 percent of the children were exposed to the severest form of victimization from the beginning of their education till their high school. As compared to children who experienced little or no bullying in their early lives, these children were more than twice as likely to report depression or low moods and were three times more likely to report anxiety. In addition, these individuals were 3.5 times more likely to report having suicidal thoughts or suicidal attempts. www.teenmentalhealthhelpline.com

2. According to the authors, it is important to prevent victimization early in life. They also stressed on the need to start anti-bullying efforts before enrolment in the formal school system. While the study showed an important link between early bullying and teen mental health disorders, it had some limitations. As per the authors, the outcomes were measured by self- reported questionnaires which did not provide an accurate clinical diagnosis. In addition, peer victimization was also self-reported that may reflect biases basis the participant’s mental health. Repercussions of bullying Bullying is a serious issue that can have a detrimental impact on those who bully, those who are bullied and even those who witness it. It involves one or more people repeatedly doing things or engaging in acts to make another person upset, afraid or hurt. Bullying can take place anywhere, take many forms and can be related to just about anything. The effects of bullying are not temporary but can last long. In addition to causing a host of psychiatric disorders, panic disorders and anxiety disorders during childhood, both the victim and the bully display some of the most severe emotional handicaps later in life, including anxiety and depressive disorders, and are at a greater risk of suicidal or self-harm thoughts. Help at hand One of the best ways to prevent bullying is to refuse to accept or tolerate it. No matter what, it is important to remember that bullying is not ok, not part of growing up and that help is always available to make things better. At the Teen Mental Health Helpline, we are here to answer all your queries related to mental illnesses among children and adolescents as well as the best possible treatment options. You can call our 24/7 helpline (866) 831-9220 to locate the best residential mental health facilities for teenagers near you. www.teenmentalhealthhelpline.com