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Bullying’s Lasting Impact on Children’s Mental Health
Bullying means repeatedly hurting or frightening someone with words or actions.
It can happen at school, at home or online.
Children who are bullied may feel scared, lonely or unsure of themselves.
Some may become quiet or anxious, while others may show anger.
They might also have headaches, stomach aches or trouble sleeping.
The article describes several children who died by suicide after experiences of bullying or harassment.
Adults should listen when children ask for help and take their worries seriously.
Children need support and safe, respectful relationships.
The article says bullying by peers, teachers, parents or online can harm children’s mental health.
It describes three suicides linked in the article to alleged bullying or harassment in 2025.
Experts say repeated humiliation and intimidation can affect confidence, trust, emotional regulation and a child’s sense of safety.
Possible warning signs include withdrawal, irritability, panic before school, physical complaints, sleep problems and declining school performance.
The experts urge adults to listen seriously, avoid blaming children and help restore a sense of safety.
- Who
- Children affected by bullying, alongside parents, teachers and mental-health professionals.
- What
- An article examines bullying’s effects on children’s mental health, warning signs and ways adults can help.
- Where
- The cases mentioned took place in Jaipur, Delhi and Kerala, as well as at a school in Gurugram.
- When
- Published for World Mental Health Day, October 10; it also describes cases from 2025.
- Why
- To draw attention to how bullying can harm children and encourage adults to respond supportively.
Children’s accounts and concerns
Adult and school responses
Responding to reports of bullying
Children’s accounts and concerns
Children may ask teachers or other adults for help and need their concerns taken seriously.
Adult and school responses
The article recounts cases in which adults allegedly failed to intervene, and advises adults to listen, avoid blame and act to restore safety.
Bullying by authority figures
Children’s accounts and concerns
A child may find it especially difficult to speak up when bullying comes from a teacher or another trusted authority figure.
Adult and school responses
Adults in authority have a role in setting clear boundaries and supporting children; the article says teacher bullying can have a deeper impact.
Key facts
- World Mental Health Day
- October 10
- Jaipur case
- A nine-year-old girl died after falling from the fourth floor of her school on November 1, 2025; her parents said she had repeatedly sought help about classmates bullying her.
- Delhi case
- A 16-year-old Class 10 student died after jumping from Rajendra Place Metro Station in November 2025; the article says his suicide note blamed school staff and administration for harassment.
- Kerala case
- A 15-year-old student died by suicide in January 2025 after months of peer bullying, body-shaming and harassment, according to the article.
- Reported effects
- Bullying may affect confidence, trust, emotional regulation and feelings of safety.
- Possible warning signs
- Withdrawal, irritability, fear before school, headaches, stomach aches, disturbed sleep, concentration problems or declining academic performance.
- Recommended response
- Listen without dismissing or blaming, take concerns seriously and set clear boundaries.
Quotes
Dr Prachi Patwal
Paediatrician at Loop Health
“Having experienced persistent bullying throughout my school years, I know how deeply these experiences can shape us. I remember feeling helpless, unsure of how to respond, and often unable to speak up for myself. I learned to stay quiet, adapt and avoid situations that felt unsafe.”
wionews.com
“Bullying doesn’t always leave a bruise. Sometimes, it changes how a child sees themselves and others. A child may experience unexplained headaches or tummy aches, disturbed sleep, anxiety, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating or declining academic performance.”
wionews.com
Sources
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