Every October, National Bullying Prevention Month serves as a crucial reminder of the pervasive issue of bullying in our society. Established by the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER), this month emphasizes the importance of awareness and education surrounding bullying behaviors and their impacts. We need to recognize that bullying extends beyond childhood, affecting individuals of all ages and demographics.
The Staggering Truth in Numbers
Statistics underscore the need to recognize bullying as a widespread issue that warrants attention and action. William Hunter, a therapist at Geode Health in Allen, Texas, states, “Bullying can leave lasting scars, and understanding its prevalence is crucial for addressing mental health needs.”
According to PACER’s extensive research, bullying is a significant issue that impacts millions of youths every year. Here are some key statistics:
- Approximately one in five (20.2%) students report being bullied.
- A higher percentage of male than female students report being physically bullied (6% vs. 4%). In contrast, a higher percentage of female than male students reported being the subjects of rumors (18% vs. 9%) and being excluded from activities on purpose (7% vs. 4%).
- Only 46% of bullied students report notifying an adult at school about the incident.
- One in five (20.9%) tweens (9 to 12 years old) have been cyberbullied, cyberbullied others, or has witnessed cyberbullying.
- Certain demographics, including LGBTQ+ youth and those with disabilities, experience higher rates of bullying.
- Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school.
- Bullied students indicate that bullying has a negative effect on how they feel about themselves (27%), their relationships with friends and family (19%), their schoolwork (19%), and physical health (14%).
Bullying Across All Ages
While often viewed as a childhood issue, bullying affects individuals throughout their lives. Adults can experience bullying in the workplace, social settings, and even within their families. “Bullying doesn’t stop after school,” adds Hunter. “It can seep into professional and personal lives, leading to chronic stress and anxiety.”
It is important to acknowledge that bullying can manifest in subtle ways in adult interactions, often making it difficult to identify and address.
Long-Term Effects of Being Bullied
The psychological and emotional impacts of bullying can be profound and long-lasting. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem well into adulthood. “Many individuals carry the emotional weight of bullying for years,” shares Hunter. “Recognizing and treating these effects is essential for healing.”
Understanding these long-term effects highlights the importance of seeking help and support to process past experiences.
Coping with Adult Bullies
For adults facing bullying, particularly in the workplace, it is vital to develop effective coping strategies. Here are some practical tips for navigating these challenging situations:
- Avoid or remove yourself from the situation.
- Document incidents in detail to have a record of the behavior.
- Rely on strength in numbers. Band together with other victims of this person to address the situation.
- Set boundaries and address the bully directly when possible.
- Seek support from colleagues, human resources, or mental health professionals.
By employing these strategies, individuals can regain a sense of control and confidence in their environments.
Treatment for Victims of Bullying
If handling the situation is too much to deal with on their own, seeking help may be necessary for victims of bullying. Therapy and support can provide a safe space to process emotions and develop coping strategies.
“Advocating for yourself is an empowering notion but can be difficult for tormented victims to stand up for themselves,” offers Hunter. “This would be the ideal scenario in which to seek help from a mental health professional to learn some helpful tools and coping mechanisms to break the cycle.”
Support from mental health professionals can facilitate healing and empower individuals to overcome the impacts of bullying.
According to Hunter, the use of evidence-based therapeutic methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and narrative therapy can help clients heal. Negative beliefs and “scripts” about oneself are effectively challenged with these methods, often yielding greater adaptability and resilience to future incidents of interpersonal difficulty.
“A teenager I treated briefly after a period of bullying in high school confirmed that her “sense of self” improved because of therapy,” shared Hunter. “Following therapy, she told me, ‘I never thought that I could really change the ways I began to think about myself after stuff happened at school, but it turns out that I don’t have to accept my negative thoughts; I don’t have to dwell on them; I can change my internal dialogue.’”
By equipping individuals with external, social support and personal, cognitive, and emotional tools, therapy leads to long-term wellness.
Treatment for Bullies
It is important to recognize that individuals who bully can also benefit from treatment. Addressing the underlying issues that drive bullying behavior is essential. Often, this involves parents seeking therapy for children who display bullying behaviors at school. However, adults may eventually come to understand their need for help after experiencing failed relationships, job loss, or ongoing conflicts in their personal lives.
As Hunter states, “Support for individuals who have suffered alienation or failed relationships can translate into them seeking help, which can lead to behavioral change and promote healthier relationships.”
Through therapy, bullies can explore their motivations and develop healthier ways to interact with others.
Like victims of bullying, through cognitive-behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, etc. bullies can explore and identify what thoughts and feelings motivate interpersonal misbehavior. One’s inability to regulate emotions and/or have productive self-talk often leads to exploiting others as a means of bolstering self-esteem, yet this has short-term effects and reduces the quality of interpersonal relationships.
“I recently saw this with an adult professional I was counseling, who was realizing some of his bullying behaviors that stemmed from his past,” shares Hunter. “He explained that he used to feel good about having an elevated position at work, primarily because it gave him the freedom to speak and act in ways that he could not if he were in a lower position. While it felt powerful, he also described the feeling as alienating.”
Psychotherapy aids bullies with developing empathy, prompting them to understand the consequences—emotional, mental, social, etc.—that ultimately bar them from healthy relationships with others and compromises their own mental health.
Hunter adds, “People become much more self-aware through therapy, once they realize things aren’t working in their life, and they finally choose to view life through a different lens.”
Take Action
As we reflect on the significance of National Bullying Prevention Month, it is vital to recognize the far-reaching impacts of bullying. Awareness is the first step toward change. We encourage our readers to support, educate, and advocate against bullying in all its forms. Together, we can create a culture of respect and kindness for all.
If you, your child, or someone you know is struggling with the effects of bullying, reach out for help. Resources are available to provide invaluable support:
Find a Geode Health Provider near you: https://geodehealth.com/locations/
- Learn more about National Bullying Prevention Month: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/
- Learn more about government-supported bullying prevention at https://www.stopbullying.gov/
