Bullying is more than a one-off unkind act. When someone is repeatedly targeted, excluded, or humiliated by others, the impact can reach far beyond the moment itself and affect their mental health in significant and lasting ways.

Whether bullying happens face to face, online, or in the workplace, understanding its effects is an important first step towards seeking or offering support.

What is bullying?

Bullying is repeated behaviour intended to hurt, intimidate, or exclude someone. It can take many forms, and it can happen to anyone at any age.

Common types of bullying include:

• Physical bullying: hitting, pushing, or damaging someone's belongings.
• Verbal bullying: name-calling, insults, or persistent teasing.
• Social or relational bullying: excluding someone, spreading rumours, or encouraging others to turn against them.
• Cyberbullying: sending threatening or hurtful messages online, sharing private images, or targeting someone through social media.
• Workplace bullying: being undermined, humiliated, or treated unfairly by a colleague or manager.

Bullying is not always easy to spot. It can be subtle and persistent, and it is rarely a single incident in isolation.

How does bullying affect mental health?

The mental health impact of bullying can be significant and wide-ranging. People who experience bullying often describe feelings of shame, helplessness, and a loss of confidence that can stay with them long after the bullying itself has stopped.

Research consistently shows that bullying is linked to:

• Anxiety and worry, including fear of social situations
• Low mood and depression
• Difficulties with sleep
• Reduced self-esteem and self-worth
• Feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Difficulties concentrating or engaging at school or work

For some people, the effects can be long-term. Experiences of bullying in childhood or adolescence can continue to affect mental health into adulthood, including how people relate to others and how they feel about themselves.

It is important to acknowledge that these responses are not a sign of weakness. They are a natural reaction to a harmful and distressing experience.

Cyberbullying and mental health

Cyberbullying presents particular challenges because it can feel inescapable. Unlike bullying that takes place in a specific location, online harassment can follow someone home and into spaces that would otherwise feel safe. For children and young people especially, cyberbullying can have a serious

impact on mental health. The visibility of online content, and the potential for it to reach a wide audience, can make the experience feel more humiliating and harder to recover from.

If you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying, keeping a record of the content, blocking the person responsible, and reporting the behaviour through the platform concerned are all important steps. Remember, you do not need to face this alone.

Bullying in the workplace

Workplace bullying is more common than many people realise. It can include being shouted at, publicly criticised, given an impossible workload, or excluded from meetings and decisions. It can also be more covert, such as having your ideas dismissed or being treated differently to your colleagues without clear reason.

The impact on mental health can be considerable. Many people experiencing workplace bullying describe symptoms of anxiety, burnout, and a reluctance to go to work. In some cases, it can affect a person's ability to do their job and their confidence in their professional abilities long afterwards.

If you are being bullied at work, it can help to speak with a trusted colleague, your HR department, or a trade union representative. You have the right to a safe working environment, and support is available.

Signs that bullying may be affecting someone's mental health

It is not always easy to know when someone is being bullied, particularly if they feel ashamed or are afraid of making things worse. Some signs to look out for include:

• Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they previously enjoyed
• Changes in mood, including appearing anxious, irritable, or low
• Reluctance to go to school, work, or other regular commitments
• Physical complaints with no clear cause, such as headaches or stomach aches
• Avoidance of social media or becoming upset after going online
• Changes in sleep or appetite

If you are worried about someone, approaching the conversation with patience and without pressure can make it easier for them to open up. Letting them know you are there and that you believe them matters more than having the right words.

Getting support

If bullying is affecting your mental health, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. You do not have to manage the impact of bullying on your own.

Speaking to a GP is a good starting point if you are struggling with your mental health. They can discuss what you are experiencing and refer you to appropriate support, which may include talking therapies or other services in your area.

Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters provides a range of mental health services across England, including talking therapies, crisis support, and community services. Visit our mental health support page for more information.

ACAS

ACAS offers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, including guidance on bullying and harassment at work. Visit the ACAS website for more information.

Childline

Childline offers free, confidential support to children and young people up to the age of 19. If you are being bullied, you can speak to a counsellor online or by calling 0800 1111, available 24 hours a day. Visit the Childline website for more information.

Kidscape

Kidscape is a charity dedicated to preventing bullying and protecting children from harm. They offer practical advice for children, parents, and professionals, as well as a helpline for parents and carers. Visit the Kidscape website for more information.

Samaritans

If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 116 123, free from any phone.