“Be a buddy, not a bully” — a quote taken from one of the anti-bullying posters plastered on the walls of our campus invoked a strong feeling inside me. The words we speak and the actions we do have a profound effect on others. Despite such, bullying has been normalized so much that we may not be aware of it! Bullying causes numerous psychological defects in the brain and damages our self-esteem, but if we work together to raise awareness of the effects of bullying, we can certainly decrease the rate of it happening.
A couple of words or actions may seem like nothing, but it could scar a person for life and create physical and emotional health problems. Bullying can be categorized into physical, verbal, and cyberbullying (National Centre Against Bullying, n.d.). These types of bullying can lead to physical injury, social problems, emotional problems, and even suicide (National Institute of Health, n.d.). At the same time, those who bully others are also at risk of suffering from depression and behavioral problems as well (Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 2010). Bullying not only affects the victim but also affects the people who bully others.
Furthermore, when one has been bullied, it can lower self-esteem or even create self-hatred. Self-esteem and mental health are interconnected in a way where healthy self-esteem is necessary for maintaining good mental health. Having low self-esteem from being bullied can lead to a high chance of becoming socially anxious and feeling withdrawn from others. It also causes depression, anxiety, and can even trigger suicidal thoughts (Martin, 2015). People who have experienced bullying are affected in their later lives, which puts a strain on their relationships with others because they are more likely to be highly self-critical. Therefore, the traumatic experience of bullying triggers low self-esteem and influences self-identity.
Spreading awareness and reporting bullying can help children and adolescents to understand what behaviours are considered bullying and the negative outcomes it brings. The American Psychological Association (2011) strongly believes that preventing and stopping bullying involves creating a safe environment where children can thrive, socially and academically, without being afraid. Undergoing bullying may feel overwhelming, but no one is alone in these situations! Report immediately to a trusted teacher or to your parents to halt bullying. Another approach is to consult with a psychologist or other mental health professionals because your mental state is crucial in order to be successful both socially and academically.
At the end of the day, we are all unique, just like the flowers we see in a garden: some may be tall, short, or different in color, hence one does not compare lavender flowers to daisies just because of their differences. Each and every one of us is beautiful inside out. Bullying others neither makes you a better person nor does it help others. It, however, causes victims to suffer from anxiety levels, depression, low self-esteem, and can lead to suicidal thoughts. You will never reach a higher ground if you are always pushing others down. Be a buddy, not a bully.
Citations (APA)
American Psychological Association. (2011). How parents, teachers and kids can take action to prevent bullying. Retrieved
November 14, 2020, from https://www.apa.org/topics/prevent-bullying
Eunice Kennedy Shriver. (2010, September 21). Taking a stand against bullying. National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/resources/spotlight/092110-taking-stand-against-bullying
Martin, A. (2015, November 16). Bullying and Self-Esteem. Stonebridge Associated Colleges Blog. Retrieved November 14, 2020 https://www.stonebridge.uk.com/blog/cbt-counselling-and-psychotherapy/bullying-and-self-esteem
National Centre Against Bullying. (n.d.). Types of Bullying. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://www.ncab.org.au/bullying-advice/bullying-for-parents/types-of-bullying/
National Institute of Health. (n.d.). How does bullying affect health and well-being? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bullying/conditioninfo/health
Silva, N. (2014, December 7). What is Bullying and How To Stop Bullying at School (With Bullying Facts and Statistics). HubPages. https://discover.hubpages.com/education/What-is-School-Bullying-and-How-To-Stop-Bullying-With-Bullying-Facts-and-Statistics
