BULLYING AND ADOLESCENT SUICIDE  

Adelaide Robb, MD,  Chief of the Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, specializing in pediatric mood disorders, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder shared with Rise and Shine that according to a study published by JAMA Pediatrics, bullied teens are twice as likely to consider suicide and nearly two-and-a-half times as likely to actually attempt suicide. In addition, the study found that teens who were cyberbullied were more than three times as likely to contemplate suicide as other kids.

The implications of bullying

Bullying makes a child feel hopeless, helpless, and hated, which can lead to low self-esteem, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to Dr. Robb.

In response to the study, Dr. Robb said, “It’s not just bullying.” She noted that bullying is just one of many potential contributors that can lead to suicide. Other risk factors include depression, bipolar disorder, psychiatric disorders, physical abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, LBGT, or a prior suicide attempt.

Bullying is no longer just a problem that arises at recess or on the school bus. With advances in technology, kids can bully others through devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication channels like social media sites, apps, text messages, chat, and websites.

Traditional bullying vs. cyberbullying

While previous studies reported that traditional bullying and cyberbullying were equally harmful, this study found that cyberbullying increased the risk of suicide in children.

Cyberbullying can intensify a teen’s vulnerability because it allows peers to post negative messages anonymously and can also quickly reach a wider audience, Dr. Robb explained. While a teen may be able to delete inappropriate messages, texts, or photos, the content is stored online, which could result in a victim reliving these previous demeaning experiences. 

How to tell if your child is being bullied

Increased awareness of bullying is important and can help parents intervene before it escalates further. Dr. Robb lists several common signs of bullying that parents should be aware of, including:

• Sudden changes in friends
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork
• Unexplainable injuries
• Lost or destroyed possessions
• Self-destructive behavior

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