Written by: Haley Pauls, LPC-A, CRC

Bullying is an unfortunate reality for many children and teens. People who are bullied experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, along with other mental health concerns. Additionally, people with existing mental health challenges are more likely to be bullied. Children and teens in today are exposed to many different types of bullying that are prevalent across all areas of their lives. Unlike in previous decades, the rise of online bullying makes it extremely challenging for children and teens to escape.

Bullying can take many different forms; ultimately, whether someone is experiencing insults, exclusion, or rumors, the effects on mental health are clear. Understanding the far-reaching effects of bullying on mental health is crucial for supporting people who are being bullied. Bullying has particular impact on how people perceive themselves, degrading their self-worth and self-esteem. Ongoing criticism and shame can lead to people believing the messages from bullies to be true about themselves, even seeing themselves as unlovable or undeserving or respect.

When people have a negative view of themselves, it greatly impacts their ability to form and maintain positive social connections with peers. Frequently this leads to isolation and withdrawal from once-enjoyed activities, signs of anxiety and depression. Without positive support from peers, the likelihood of poor mental health outcomes grows.

Healing from bullying is possible. Consider the following ways to support someone you know who is experiencing or has experienced bullying.

• Encourage them to talk about it with a trusted individual, a family member, friend, or therapist. If that trusted individual is you, remember that sometimes the most important thing you can do is to listen without judgement and validate how they feel.
• Emphasize the importance of self-care. Seek out activities that bring relaxation, joy, and connection.
• Underscore the positive impact of a strong, uplifting social network. Emphasize the quality of peer connections over their number of friends. Even one positive friendship can help reduce the impacts of bullying.

Our team of therapists at Vive understands the significant impact bullying can have on mental health. We are here to support you and your loved ones to take steps towards overcoming the pain of bullying. If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of bullying, please visit our website to learn more about how to connect with one of our therapists.

To schedule an appointment with Haley Pauls, call 864-239-4110 or complete our New Client form here: Contact Us | Vive Psych