Written by Dru Ahlborg, Bullying Recovery Resource Center

This month I am going to suggest the solution before describing the problem because it’s that important. Intervention and support for children impacted by bullying is the BEST way to mitigate the potential devastating mental health impacts of bullying. Parental support and support from the school can literally be life-saving for children dealing with the repercussions of bullying. That is where Bullying Recovery Resource Center can help.

When speaking about the mission and work of BRRC, I have the opportunity to listen to many adults recall the bullying they endured, and/or the bullying their child has encountered. Often, they share that the trauma still reverberates in their life today. Recent research underscores the profound and enduring mental health impacts of bullying, affecting individuals from childhood into late adulthood. These effects manifest in both immediate psychological distress and long-term mental health challenges.

Short-Term Mental Health Impacts

Bullying is never just “kids being kids.” Its emotional toll can be immediate and intense, leaving targets feeling anxious, isolated, and overwhelmed. These short-term mental health impacts often mark the beginning of deeper struggles if left unaddressed. Below are some short-term mental health impacts for bullying targets:

• Emotional Distress: Victims often experience heightened anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. WebMD
• Academic and Social Consequences: Bullying can lead to decreased academic performance, school avoidance, and social withdrawal. leadingjustice.com
• Cyberbullying Effects: A study by the University of the Sunshine Coast found that 98% of girls aged 14-19 have experienced cyberbullying, leading to significant body dissatisfaction and increased risk of eating disorders.couriermail

Long-Term Mental Health Impacts

The pain of bullying doesn’t always end when the behavior stops. For many targets, the emotional wounds linger, quietly shaping their mental health into adolescence and adulthood. Understanding the long-term impacts is essential for caregivers who want to support healing that lasts a lifetime.

• Adolescent Mental Health: Children bullied at age 11 who developed distrust by age 14 were approximately 3.5 times more likely to face significant mental health issues by age 17. U.S. News+1UCLA Health+1
• Adult Depression: Early-life bullying is associated with a higher prevalence of depression in later life, particularly among women, rural residents, and individuals with lower educational levels. PubMed
• Chronic Bullying Effects: Chronic bullying victimization increases the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, such as substance use, and leads to life-disrupting emotional problems in adulthood. PMC+1BioMed Central+1
• Educational and Occupational Outcomes: Individuals involved in bullying during first grade, especially those identified as bully-victims, are less likely to graduate high school on time and more likely to encounter criminal justice involvement in adulthood. PubMed

Protective Factors and Interventions

While the effects of bullying can be profound, they are not irreversible. Supportive relationships and intentional interventions can make a lasting difference in a child’s recovery and well-being.

• Parental Support: Active parental involvement and support can mitigate the immediate mental health effects of bullying, reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress among victims. Lippincott Journals
• Positive School Climate: A supportive and connected school environment is associated with lower rates of bullying and better mental health outcomes, serving as a buffer against the negative impacts of bullying. Lippincott Journals

These insights are a call to action. Every child who has been targeted by bullying deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported—not just in the moment, but for the long journey of healing that may follow. When we come together—at home, in schools, and in our communities—we can create a world where the lasting scars of bullying are met with lasting care, compassion, and hope. At Bullying Recovery Resource Center, we walk alongside families on that journey, offering guidance, resources, and a community that understands.