How to Deal with Bullying
From how to make it through the
school day to how to ask for help, we’ve got your
back.
What is Bullying?
Bullying can happen anywhere, to
anyone—school, work, at home. Sure, we all know the
stereotype of the playground bully pining to steal
your lunch money, or the gossip girl ready to spread
an ugly rumor. But, the truth is that bullying
happens every day in both obvious and subtle.
If you are experiencing bullying,
know that you are not alone. Although it’s hard to
know exactly how many people have experienced
bullying, most estimates indicate that the vast
majority of people experience bullying at some
point. It’s a serious problem that can be
detrimental for self-confidence and can
significantly impact one’s ability to feel safe, do
their best work, and take care of themselves.
Bullying is repeated hurtful actions
with the intention of demonstrating power imbalance.
And, it can take many forms: in-person physical
attacks, verbal taunting, and even cyberbullying.
While still hurtful, bullying is not a one-off act
of unkindness. Bullying is on-going, consistent, and
relentless, chipping away at someone’s sense of self
over time.
Bullying is no joke. Studies show that persistent bullying is
associated with symptoms of mental health challenges
like anxiety and depression. This is especially true
for
young people, many of
whom navigate the psychological challenges of
bullying long after the bullying has ended.
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