Bullying And Suicide-Related Behavior

Bullying and suicide-related behavior are closely related. This means that youth who report any involvement with bullying behavior are more likely than not to report high levels of suicide-related behavior. There is enough evidence between the two to improve prevention efforts. It is unknown if bullying directly causes suicide-related behavior, but involvement in bullying does increase the chance that an adolescent will engage in suicide-related behaviors.

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically

Suicide is death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with any intent to die. A suicide attempt is a non-fatal potentially injurious behavior with any intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt may or may not result in injury. Suicidal ideation is thinking about, considering, or planning suicide. Those who in engage in suicide-related behavior often experience overwhelming feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Any type of involvement in bullying behavior is a stressor which may significantly contribute to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that raise the risk of suicide. Youth who are at an increased risk for suicide-related behavior are dealing with a complex interaction of multiple relationships, mental health, and school

Youth who are more engaged in their schools or feel more connected to the community are less likely to engage in suicidal behavior. Those who work in schools can do little things like greet each student by name every day, show interest in the student’s life and how they are doing, and encourage students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Youth who have the ability to cope with problems in healthy ways and solve problems peacefully are less likely to engage in bullying behaviors. School personnel can use their position as a role model to teach youth both life and coping skills by focusing on the positive and empowering messages that build resilience and acceptance of differences in themselves and others. Youth with learning disabilities, sexual/gender identity differences, and/or cultural differences are more likely to be the students being bullied. School staff can provide better training for all school staff who work with these youth. School administrations can implement staff training to inform them about vulnerable populations and appropriate methods of intervention in bullying situations. Acknowledging risk factors is not the same as victim