National Bullying Prevention Month: The Mental Health Connection
By Daija Prather, NCC, LCMHCA
October is recognized as National Bullying Prevention Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about the pervasive and lasting impact of bullying on mental health across the lifespan. Bullying is not a harmless rite of passage—it is a significant public health concern that can contribute to both immediate and long-term psychological distress.
The Mental Health Impact of Bullying
Bullying can occur in many forms—physical, verbal, relational, and increasingly, digital (cyberbullying). Each has the potential to disrupt a person’s emotional and psychological well-being. Research consistently links bullying exposure to:
Internalizing disorders such as depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety
Post-traumatic stress symptoms, including hypervigilance and intrusive thoughts
Somatic complaints, such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disturbances
Decreased self-worth and increased self-criticism
Social withdrawal and impaired interpersonal functioning
For youth, bullying often interferes with academic performance and social development. In adults, workplace bullying can lead to burnout, absenteeism, and deterioration in job performance and satisfaction.
Bullying and the Trauma Response
Many individuals who experience bullying exhibit symptoms consistent with trauma responses. Chronic exposure to bullying may trigger dysregulation of the nervous system, leading to difficulties with emotional regulation, concentration, and stress tolerance. Without intervention, these patterns can persist into adulthood, shaping self-concept and relational dynamics.
Prevention and Intervention
Effective bullying prevention requires a systemic approach:
Schools benefit from trauma-informed policies, staff training, and structured peer support initiatives.
Workplaces must establish clear anti-harassment procedures and promote environments of psychological safety.
Families play a critical role by fostering open communication, validating experiences, and modeling healthy conflict resolution.
Therapeutic intervention can provide a safe, structured space to process the emotional consequences of bullying. Evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused approaches, and somatic-based interventions may help reduce distress, improve self-efficacy, and strengthen resilience.
A Call to Action
National Bullying Prevention Month is a reminder that psychological safety is essential to overall well-being. Clinicians, educators, employers, and community members all play a role in recognizing, addressing, and preventing bullying. Through awareness, intervention, and access to supportive mental health care, it is possible to mitigate the long-term impact of bullying and promote healthier, more resilient communities.
My Commitment
In my work, I see how the effects of bullying can carry forward into adulthood—shaping how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how safe we feel in the world. I am committed to helping clients process these painful experiences, rebuild confidence, and learn new ways of relating that are rooted in strength rather than shame. If you or someone you love has been impacted by bullying—whether in childhood, school, or the workplace—please know that healing is possible. You don’t have to go through it alone.
