What is it?
- Bullying comes in various forms & has lasting effects.
- Talk to a trusted adult & seek their guidance.
- No one deserves mistreatment, & it’s okay to seek help.
Here's more detail
Description
Bullying is a serious issue that can have profound and lasting effects on young people’s lives. It’s crucial to recognise that bullying can take different forms, including physical, verbal, social and cyberbullying. Nobody deserves to endure harassment or cruelty from others. If you or someone you know is being bullied, it’s essential to take action. First and foremost, talk to a trusted adult about the situation, such as a parent, teacher or school counselor. They can provide support and guidance on how to address the bullying effectively. Remember that you don’t have to face this alone, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness.
In addition to seeking help from adults, it’s important to stand up against bullying as a community. Encouraging open conversations about bullying within your school or friend group can create an atmosphere of kindness and empathy. If you are able to, be a friend to those who are being targeted, and report any instances of bullying to the appropriate authorities. Remember that bullying is never the victim’s fault, and nobody deserves to be mistreated.
- Learn more
According to the National Bullying Helpline, bullying and harassment can be defined in many different ways and can be described as unwanted conduct or behaviour designed to cause harm or distress to another person. Its effects can have far-reaching consequences for physical and mental health, causing stress, emotional issues, social problems, physical disorders and in some serious cases, self-harm or even death.
The NSPCC describes bullying as a behaviour that hurts someone else. It includes name-calling, hitting, pushing, spreading rumours, or threatening someone. It can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. It’s usually repeated over a long period of time and can be harmful to both physical and mental health.
Tips from Childline for coping with bullying:
- Bullying is never your fault
- You can report and block people who bully you online
- Don’t share or comment on bullying posts
- Tell an adult you trust to help stop the bullying
- Things can change. And there are ways you can build your confidence
How to take care of your mental health if you’re being bullied:
- Talk about it
- Take a break
- Let your feelings out
- Build your confidence
- Get into a healthy routine
- Get help if you’re struggling
To learn more about bullying and mental health, visit the links below.
Stat
Research from the Department for Education looking at pupils in year 10 found that
40% of young people were bullied in the last 12 months
Video
Bullying can have a life-long impact on children, and so it’s vital that parents and carers recognise when their child is being bullied and know how to help. In this film from Nip in the Bud, Dr. Sian Williams explores the common signs of bullying at school and online, and where you can turn to for extra support.
Sian discusses how to create an environment which makes children feel able to disclose bullying to you, and how to keep them safe. Watch now to find out more about what you can do to support your child if you think they are being bullied, or check out the accompanying factsheet.
Voice
If everyone is educated to spot and understand what bullying is and to feel clear about the avenues of support available, bullying is less likely to become a crisis and far more likely to be nipped in the bud before long term harm is done.
- How to spot and understand bullying, Nip in the Bud
Some resources that may help:
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