Teenage Bullying
It’s not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. It’s skipping lunch to hide in the bathroom. It’s never speaking up in class. Bullying looks different for everyone who experiences it. While bullying isn’t exclusive to any age it can be incredibly difficult for one age group, in particular, teenagers. One out of every five students reports experiencing bullying (CDC). This level of prevalence is upsetting, but also incredibly useful to understand. Our teens need our help.
As anyone who has ever been a teenager can tell you, the period between the ages of 12 and 18 isn’t an easy one. Your entire world is shifting as your brain and body grow. During this sensitive time bullying can have an especially negative impact on a developing psyche. So if you are a teenager who is struggling with bullying or are a loved one of someone who is struggling, it’s important to do what you can to get help. Peers and trusted adults can be a great resource. Therapy can teach you useful tools to boost your self-esteem and improve your emotional health. And if you need, there are plenty of helplines to call if you fear for yourself or another’s safety. Many of these resources can be found via the stopbullying.gov website.
References
Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2019). Preventing bullying. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/yv/bullying-factsheet508.pdf.
