One in five high school pupils said they had been bullied at school. Adolescents who bully others or get bullied themselves are more susceptible to behavioural and mental health problems.
Fortunately, bullying can be avoided, and there are steps that caregivers can take to assist.
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What is Bullying?
Bullying at school or bullying outside of the school setting, is when one or more perpetrators consistently act violently or aggressively toward a victim despite having more physical strength or social influence than the victim. Bullying can be physical, action or verbal which causes distress and risk to their wellbeing.
Cyberbullying is also becoming common, through social media and other electronic means of communication.
What are the impacts of Bullying on the Mental Health of its victims?
Long-term consequences of bullying might include an increase in sexual and interpersonal violence, substance abuse, subpar performance, and social dysfunction. Some victims of bullying may also experience low moods and anxiety.
Being bullied can have long-term effects, such as increased interpersonal and sexual aggression, substance abuse, poor performance, and social dysfunction.
Research have also shown that bullying worsens depression and raises the risk of suicide for both the victim and the aggressor.
How can caregivers assist?
One of the most beneficial things you can do as a caregiver is to pay attention to your child. A youngster may feel less alone when they talk to a trusted adult at home or at school.
You can assist your child by introducing them to kind people and activities like after-school clubs and mentoring programs. You may lessen your child’s exposure to risky activities by making sure they are in a secure, watched environment.
Keep an eye on your child’s social media accounts and discuss internet safety with them. If you believe your child is a victim of cyberbullying, find out what is going on and record the persistent conduct. Report the problem to your child’s school and, if necessary, get assistance from a guidance counselor or mental health specialist.
Dealing with adolescent bullying
Teenagers who are educated about bullying behaviors and appropriate reactions can cope. If your child is a victim of bullying, they should confront the perpetrator and insist that the behaviour stop. If speaking to the bully makes them feel dangerous, they have the option to immediately leave the situation and seek out an adult.
Teenagers might use a variety of techniques to deal with the problem successfully. Being aware of bullying tactics and responses is a great place to start. Moreover, they can use the next ten strategies:
- Maintain eye contact and a forceful tone while standing up to the bully with assurance and assertiveness.
- Forget what the bully is saying and leave the area.
- To defuse the situation and get the bully to quit, use humor.
- Reduce the risk of bullying by sticking with other individuals or an honest friend.
- Inform the school’s principal, guidance counselors, or teachers about the occurrence.
- Avoid engaging the bully in physical contact since this could worsen the situation and cause damage.
- Talk to their parents, who can help you navigate the situation by providing advice and support.
- Participate in activities that increase their self-esteem and confidence, including athletics, music, or other hobbies.
- By taking care of their physical, emotional, and mental health, people can practice self-care and lessen the negative impacts of bullying.
- Join an anti-bullying programme or advocacy group to learn more about bullying and to receive support from peers.
Adolescents must understand that overcoming bullies requires patience and perseverance. It may take some trial and error to find the best way for them, but with the appropriate strategy and assistance, they can thrive despite the challenge.
Teenagers must realise that dealing with bullies involves patience and tenacity.
In a nutshell
Bullying can come in different forms and settings, it can be physical or verbal. It can be at school, outside school or even on the internet. But whatever kind or wherever, bullying causes risks to mental health and overall well being of a person. But we should always remember that it can be prevented and stopped through supervision and attention of adults, caregivers and other professionals.
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