Children who are bullied can feel lonely, unhappy and frightened; those who bully others are also likely to have mental health issues. Most children say seeing bullying happening at school makes them feel worried and uncomfortable.
When compared to students who are not bullied, students who are bullied:
- feel unhappier at school
- feel school is an unsafe place
- feel lonelier
- have higher rates of absenteeism
- experience more negative health symptoms
- experience higher levels of depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts to harm oneself
- are more likely to bully others when they are older
When compared to students who do not bully, students who bully:
- are more likely to have feelings of ineffectiveness
- are more often struggle with interpersonal difficulties
- have higher levels of depression
- experience higher levels of suicidal thoughts
- experience higher levels of anxiety and worry
- are more likely to wag school, graffiti and/or shoplift
- are more likely to engage in violent behaviour and/or have a criminal conviction by the age of 24
- are more likely to have children who engage in bullying
- have greater incidences of mental health issues
Because bullying is a relationship issue it also weakens the way Aboriginal kids involved in bullying relate to their family, culture, community and Country.
