Bullying is a behaviour that is repeated, targeted towards an individual with the intent of making them feel upset, scared or hurt.
Bullying can be emotional, physical and verbal or it can happen online, which is known as cyber bullying.
Bullying can make you feel scared and alone. It can also affect who you might trust. But there is always someone there to help.
There are lots of ways bullying could happen, for example:
- Name-calling
- Making inappropriate sexual comments
- Threatening behaviour
- Isolating someone on purpose
- Hitting
- Taking or breaking someone’s things.
Some signs that your are being bullied may include:
- Physical injuries
- Beings afraid to go to school
- Loss of confidence
- Eating problems
- Sleeping problems
- Change in mood
- Change in behavior
- Being unkind to other people
- Withdrawing (not wanting to see other people).
Tips
Some people say just ignore it. This is easier for some than others and it won’t always make the bullying go away.
If you are being bullied at school-speak to a teacher. Schools should have an anti-bullying policy and most schools take bullying seriously, with heavy consequences for those involved.
If you are being bullied at home, try and talk to a teacher or another adult you trust.
If you are being bullied online block the person immediately and don’t respond to the message. Take a screen shot or print the message out as evidence and take this into school or to the police.
Report the bullying to the website administrator (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc have a safety center for this. Most websites will remove the posts and follow up with an investigation.)
Young Minds Crisis Messenger offers free 24/7 support if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. Text YM to 85258