No one wants to see themselves as the bad guy in the story of life. But deep down, we know we’re in the wrong when we’re being mean to someone. Bullying others is unfair and shouldn’t be excused. However, there’s a link between mental health and bullying that makes things a bit more complicated. Often, a bully isn’t just someone who’s genuinely mean. Instead, they’re usually someone dealing with their own issues who doesn’t know how to cope.
The Connection Between Mental Health and Bullying
Countless studies have shown people who report themselves to be bullies also have a higher tendency to report mental health conditions. One meta-analysis of 31 different studies found the risk of depression in people who bully is 1.73 times higher than in non-bullies. The study concluded kids and adolescents who bully or have experienced bullying themselves are at a notably higher risk for depression.
Other mental health conditions come into play, too. Individuals who bully are also at a higher risk for anxiety and attention deficit disorder. According to the CDC, young adults who bully others are “at an increased risk for substance use, academic problems and experiencing violence later in adolescence and adulthood.”
So, why does this happen, and how can this connection between mental health and bullying be explained?
Most likely, the person developed their mental health condition first, and one of the side effects of the condition is the desire to hurt others emotionally. For example, let’s say a bully suffers from low self-esteem or depression or has been through traumatic events. They may not know how to cope with their feelings or situation. One of their instincts may be to cause harm to others because they feel hurt themselves. They might see someone else who seems to be happier or have a better life than them, and they get jealous and try to cause them pain.
The Impact of Bullying on Victims
You can’t talk about bullying without mentioning its serious impact on the victims.
The psychological impact of bullying is severe and can be life-changing. Children and young adults who experience bullying are at a higher risk for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Lower academic achievement
- Dropping out of school
Additionally, bullied students reported these experiences had a negative impact on how they feel about themselves, their relationship with their family, their physical health and their performance at school.
Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement and dropping out of school.
Even individuals who aren’t bullied but witness bullying can experience negative consequences. These bystanders may have to deal with the shame and guilt of not intervening. In severe cases of bullying, they may experience trauma from witnessing the bullying events.
Mental Health and Bullying Prevention
The most crucial step in preventing bullying is spreading awareness. People need to understand the harmful impact of bullying and how to address it. Additionally, children should be taught about the link between mental health and bullying. If individuals understood they might be lashing out at others due to unaddressed mental health issues, they might feel empowered to get help.
Some of the messages that can help reduce bullying are:
- Bullying hurts others in impactful and long-term ways.
- If someone is bullying you, try standing up to them and asking them to stop (if you feel comfortable). Otherwise, remove yourself from the situation and tell someone else what’s happening.
- If you feel like bullying someone, you might be feeling bad about yourself. These are awful feelings to deal with and not something you should have to handle on your own. Speaking to someone can help you feel better and eliminate your desire to bully others.
- Bullying others will make you feel bad about yourself. If you don’t like someone, you can try avoiding them instead.
Bullying Can Be a Cry for Help
By no means are mental health conditions an excuse for bullying. Plenty of people struggle with mental health conditions and don’t intentionally try to hurt others. But it does add some context to a story if someone you know is displaying bullying behaviors.
It’s imperative to address mental health in bullying prevention efforts for a healthier and safer environment. When people feel comfortable seeking help for their mental health struggles, they can get the tools and resources needed to return to their comfortable, happy self.
If you have bullying tendencies but want to stop, know you can change. Talking to a therapist can help you identify what’s causing you to want to treat others negatively so you can heal. It all starts with a conversation. Mental Health Hotline partners with reputable mental health care providers nationwide to get you the help you need. You can call 24-7, and you’ll always get a response from us.
