Bullying: Self Harm & Suicide

May 24, 2008 in Bully Facts, Bullying Effects by bullyfre

Bullying Guide

Being bullied causes a great deal of conflicting feelings, one of these being anger and since the victim of a bully is usually a non violent person this anger gets held in and can be one of the main causes of depression. Victims of bullies will eventually arrive at the point where they can no longer hold in this anger, this is when they reach the point of boiling and a release of the internal pressure is needed.

As the person is generally a non violent one they can very often turn to hurting themselves instead of lashing out at the bully and very often even attempt suicide. In the United Kingdom alone it is thought that each year:

* Over 5000 people commit suicide.

* At least 16 young people or children commit suicide due to bullying.

* At east 19,000 children will have attempted suicide, this is one every half hour.

* For males between the ages of 18 and 24 suicide is the number one cause of death.

* Over 30% of the workforce in the United Kingdom suffer from mental health problems.

Bullying, harassment and abuse causes severe problems with our health these problems are often diagnosed as stress and anxiety but also includes depression.

Strategies for dealing with anger to help eliminate depression

All targets of bullies whatever their age or gender will eventually come to a boiling point if the anger is left to fester and eventually the smallest of irritations can cause an outburst. This trigger could come from our adversaries but more often than not it will come unwittingly from friends or family.

Anger controls a person and when we become angry we lose control, bullies know this and this is what they are aiming for, this is why a bully will constantly provoke you.

By holding in the anger you are risking your health and by expressing your anger with friends and family you are in theory allowing the bully to control you even after the event.

Here are some tips for getting the frustrations out quickly and early:

* Take an empty plastic milk carton and jump up and down on it until you feel better, do this in private of course.

* Visit a counselor or therapist and talk things through.

* Every time you have a negative thought remind yourself “I am responsible for how I feel”.

* Read books on anger management and ways of dealing with stress.

* Save up all your empty glass bottles and take them to a bottle bank, drop them in and hear the glass shatter, breaking glass is thought to be soothing.

It is important to remember that you are not alone in how you feel, all targets of bullies get angry and let the anger build up until it’s uncontrollable. The important thing is to manage this anger and let off steam when you feel the need to but always remain in control of the anger and don’t let it bring you to the brink of serious depression or worse – suicide.

Filed under: Bullying Guide: Learning About & Dealing With Bullying