When we think of bullying, our minds often go to the schoolyard, picturing whispered insults, exclusion at lunch tables, or cruel posts shared online. But bullying doesn’t end when we graduate. It can follow us into college, workplaces, families, and communities, often taking on subtler yet equally damaging forms. Across every stage of life, its impact can be profound.
What Bullying Really Is and What It’s Not
Friendly teasing and small disagreements are a natural part of human interaction. In those moments, everyone involved feels safe, respected, and able to speak up or set boundaries. Such interactions can even build connection and trust.
Bullying is entirely different. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior, verbal or physical, that is often repeated over time. It is meant specifically to wield power and control over another person. It involves language and behaviors intended to make another person or group feel hurt, embarrassed, or humiliated. Unlike playful teasing, there is nothing warm and friendly about bullying. It is destructive. It is meant to intimidate. And it is often covert.
People of all ages can be bullies: school age children, high school and college students, family members, coworkers, and bosses. Bullying can result in mental and physical harm, and its impact can last long into the future. It is insidious and it can be frightening. For some, it manifests as chronic stress or physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or digestive issues. For others, it leads to isolation or self-doubt that persists long after the bullying stops. In the extreme, it can lead to self-harming behavior and has resulted in attempts and even completed suicides.
If asked, most people would probably say that bullying and ill-intended teasing are totally unacceptable practices. There is never any justification for making verbal or physical threats against others. But it happens far too often. Here are just a few daunting statistics:
- One out of every five (19.2%) US students report being bullied.
- Approximately 160,000 U.S. students miss school each day because they are being bullied.
- Nine out of ten lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) students have experienced some form of bullying at school.
- Nearly one in three American adults (31%) report having been bullied as an adult, often by a boss, coworker, or peer.
- Over 30% of teens have experienced cyberbullying at some point in their lives. Among adult gamers aged 18-45, 76% have experienced harassment.
Bullying Isn’t Just for Kids
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that bullying in the workplace is alarmingly common and takes the form of verbal abuse, work sabotage, exclusion, or intimidation. In one study, 41.4% of respondents reported experiencing psychological aggression at work in the past year, representing 47 million U.S. workers. And unlike childhood bullying, workplace victims often feel trapped and afraid to report behavior that could threaten their job or reputation.
In the workplace, bullying is often a silent epidemic. Targets of bullying often suffer in silence, held back by stigma, unequal power dynamics, and the absence of effective policies or interventions. Meanwhile, those who bully often ensure good relationships with their superiors and those they deem important, thereby allowing their bullying to go unnoticed. Some suggest that those who bully know how to “work the system,” planting seeds of doubt in their superiors’ minds and making it less likely the target will be believed or taken seriously.
Workplace bullying contributes to anxiety, depression, burnout, and disengagement. It erodes trust and morale, driving talented employees away while “silent sufferers” remain: those who endure quietly and internalize the harm rather than seek help.
These individual outcomes translate directly into organizational costs. According to SHRM, the cost of bullying in the workplace generally falls into three categories: replacing staff members who leave (plus the added cost of training new employees); employee effort being diverted from work tasks to coping with bullying incidents; and costs associated with investigations of ill treatment, potential legal action, and loss of company reputation. A workplace culture shaped by bullying ultimately weakens the entire organization.
Over time, these consequences compound. Staff turnover and sick leave rise, while morale and productivity decline. Stress, depression, and physical health problems lead to more time away from work and increased workers’ compensation claims. The health problems experienced by bullying victims result in a sense of helplessness and negative emotional states. Low self-esteem and a negative organizational climate suppress creativity and hamper employees’ abilities to respond to difficult situations or challenging goals.
Standing Up to Bullies
Dealing with bullying can be incredibly tough and heartbreaking for the victim and loved ones, but there are resources out there that can help. Support is available in many forms, whether you’re looking for practical advice to plan your next steps or simply spaces where you can talk through what’s happening. These resources can empower you to take action and find a safe space to heal and grow.
- StopBullying.gov
- Cyberbullying Research Center
- Cyberbullying - Nemours Kids Health
- Cyberbullying: Twenty Crucial Statistics for 2025 - Security.org
For those seeking ongoing mental health support, Counslr offers 24/7/365 access to wellness resources and live, text-based conversations with trained professionals, providing a confidential, judgment-free space to process what you’re going through and build coping strategies.
Addressing bullying begins with awareness and with courage. Silence allows harm to grow, but calling out harmful behavior, supporting those affected, and modeling respect in everyday interactions can shift cultures toward empathy and accountability.
This National Bullying Prevention Month, let’s remember that bullying is not a “kids’ issue.” It’s a human issue and one that touches every generation, every community, and every workplace. For the silent sufferers among us, your experience matters. You deserve support, and you’re not alone.
When we think of bullying, our minds often go to the schoolyard, picturing whispered insults, exclusion at lunch tables, or cruel posts shared online. But bullying doesn’t end when we graduate. It can follow us into college, workplaces, families, and communities, often taking on subtler yet equally damaging forms. Across every stage of life, its impact can be profound.
What Bullying Really Is and What It’s Not
Friendly teasing and small disagreements are a natural part of human interaction. In those moments, everyone involved feels safe, respected, and able to speak up or set boundaries. Such interactions can even build connection and trust.
Bullying is entirely different. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior, verbal or physical, that is often repeated over time. It is meant specifically to wield power and control over another person. It involves language and behaviors intended to make another person or group feel hurt, embarrassed, or humiliated. Unlike playful teasing, there is nothing warm and friendly about bullying. It is destructive. It is meant to intimidate. And it is often covert.
People of all ages can be bullies: school age children, high school and college students, family members, coworkers, and bosses. Bullying can result in mental and physical harm, and its impact can last long into the future. It is insidious and it can be frightening. For some, it manifests as chronic stress or physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or digestive issues. For others, it leads to isolation or self-doubt that persists long after the bullying stops. In the extreme, it can lead to self-harming behavior and has resulted in attempts and even completed suicides.
If asked, most people would probably say that bullying and ill-intended teasing are totally unacceptable practices. There is never any justification for making verbal or physical threats against others. But it happens far too often. Here are just a few daunting statistics:
- One out of every five (19.2%) US students report being bullied.
- Approximately 160,000 U.S. students miss school each day because they are being bullied.
- Nine out of ten lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) students have experienced some form of bullying at school.
- Nearly one in three American adults (31%) report having been bullied as an adult, often by a boss, coworker, or peer.
- Over 30% of teens have experienced cyberbullying at some point in their lives. Among adult gamers aged 18-45, 76% have experienced harassment.
Bullying Isn’t Just for Kids
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that bullying in the workplace is alarmingly common and takes the form of verbal abuse, work sabotage, exclusion, or intimidation. In one study, 41.4% of respondents reported experiencing psychological aggression at work in the past year, representing 47 million U.S. workers. And unlike childhood bullying, workplace victims often feel trapped and afraid to report behavior that could threaten their job or reputation.
In the workplace, bullying is often a silent epidemic. Targets of bullying often suffer in silence, held back by stigma, unequal power dynamics, and the absence of effective policies or interventions. Meanwhile, those who bully often ensure good relationships with their superiors and those they deem important, thereby allowing their bullying to go unnoticed. Some suggest that those who bully know how to “work the system,” planting seeds of doubt in their superiors’ minds and making it less likely the target will be believed or taken seriously.
Workplace bullying contributes to anxiety, depression, burnout, and disengagement. It erodes trust and morale, driving talented employees away while “silent sufferers” remain: those who endure quietly and internalize the harm rather than seek help.
These individual outcomes translate directly into organizational costs. According to SHRM, the cost of bullying in the workplace generally falls into three categories: replacing staff members who leave (plus the added cost of training new employees); employee effort being diverted from work tasks to coping with bullying incidents; and costs associated with investigations of ill treatment, potential legal action, and loss of company reputation. A workplace culture shaped by bullying ultimately weakens the entire organization.
Over time, these consequences compound. Staff turnover and sick leave rise, while morale and productivity decline. Stress, depression, and physical health problems lead to more time away from work and increased workers’ compensation claims. The health problems experienced by bullying victims result in a sense of helplessness and negative emotional states. Low self-esteem and a negative organizational climate suppress creativity and hamper employees’ abilities to respond to difficult situations or challenging goals.
Standing Up to Bullies
Dealing with bullying can be incredibly tough and heartbreaking for the victim and loved ones, but there are resources out there that can help. Support is available in many forms, whether you’re looking for practical advice to plan your next steps or simply spaces where you can talk through what’s happening. These resources can empower you to take action and find a safe space to heal and grow.
- StopBullying.gov
- Cyberbullying Research Center
- Cyberbullying - Nemours Kids Health
- Cyberbullying: Twenty Crucial Statistics for 2025 - Security.org
For those seeking ongoing mental health support, Counslr offers 24/7/365 access to wellness resources and live, text-based conversations with trained professionals, providing a confidential, judgment-free space to process what you’re going through and build coping strategies.
Addressing bullying begins with awareness and with courage. Silence allows harm to grow, but calling out harmful behavior, supporting those affected, and modeling respect in everyday interactions can shift cultures toward empathy and accountability.
This National Bullying Prevention Month, let’s remember that bullying is not a “kids’ issue.” It’s a human issue and one that touches every generation, every community, and every workplace. For the silent sufferers among us, your experience matters. You deserve support, and you’re not alone.
When we think of bullying, our minds often go to the schoolyard, picturing whispered insults, exclusion at lunch tables, or cruel posts shared online. But bullying doesn’t end when we graduate. It can follow us into college, workplaces, families, and communities, often taking on subtler yet equally damaging forms. Across every stage of life, its impact can be profound.
What Bullying Really Is and What It’s Not
Friendly teasing and small disagreements are a natural part of human interaction. In those moments, everyone involved feels safe, respected, and able to speak up or set boundaries. Such interactions can even build connection and trust.
Bullying is entirely different. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior, verbal or physical, that is often repeated over time. It is meant specifically to wield power and control over another person. It involves language and behaviors intended to make another person or group feel hurt, embarrassed, or humiliated. Unlike playful teasing, there is nothing warm and friendly about bullying. It is destructive. It is meant to intimidate. And it is often covert.
People of all ages can be bullies: school age children, high school and college students, family members, coworkers, and bosses. Bullying can result in mental and physical harm, and its impact can last long into the future. It is insidious and it can be frightening. For some, it manifests as chronic stress or physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or digestive issues. For others, it leads to isolation or self-doubt that persists long after the bullying stops. In the extreme, it can lead to self-harming behavior and has resulted in attempts and even completed suicides.
If asked, most people would probably say that bullying and ill-intended teasing are totally unacceptable practices. There is never any justification for making verbal or physical threats against others. But it happens far too often. Here are just a few daunting statistics:
- One out of every five (19.2%) US students report being bullied.
- Approximately 160,000 U.S. students miss school each day because they are being bullied.
- Nine out of ten lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) students have experienced some form of bullying at school.
- Nearly one in three American adults (31%) report having been bullied as an adult, often by a boss, coworker, or peer.
- Over 30% of teens have experienced cyberbullying at some point in their lives. Among adult gamers aged 18-45, 76% have experienced harassment.
Bullying Isn’t Just for Kids
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that bullying in the workplace is alarmingly common and takes the form of verbal abuse, work sabotage, exclusion, or intimidation. In one study, 41.4% of respondents reported experiencing psychological aggression at work in the past year, representing 47 million U.S. workers. And unlike childhood bullying, workplace victims often feel trapped and afraid to report behavior that could threaten their job or reputation.
In the workplace, bullying is often a silent epidemic. Targets of bullying often suffer in silence, held back by stigma, unequal power dynamics, and the absence of effective policies or interventions. Meanwhile, those who bully often ensure good relationships with their superiors and those they deem important, thereby allowing their bullying to go unnoticed. Some suggest that those who bully know how to “work the system,” planting seeds of doubt in their superiors’ minds and making it less likely the target will be believed or taken seriously.
Workplace bullying contributes to anxiety, depression, burnout, and disengagement. It erodes trust and morale, driving talented employees away while “silent sufferers” remain: those who endure quietly and internalize the harm rather than seek help.
These individual outcomes translate directly into organizational costs. According to SHRM, the cost of bullying in the workplace generally falls into three categories: replacing staff members who leave (plus the added cost of training new employees); employee effort being diverted from work tasks to coping with bullying incidents; and costs associated with investigations of ill treatment, potential legal action, and loss of company reputation. A workplace culture shaped by bullying ultimately weakens the entire organization.
Over time, these consequences compound. Staff turnover and sick leave rise, while morale and productivity decline. Stress, depression, and physical health problems lead to more time away from work and increased workers’ compensation claims. The health problems experienced by bullying victims result in a sense of helplessness and negative emotional states. Low self-esteem and a negative organizational climate suppress creativity and hamper employees’ abilities to respond to difficult situations or challenging goals.
Standing Up to Bullies
Dealing with bullying can be incredibly tough and heartbreaking for the victim and loved ones, but there are resources out there that can help. Support is available in many forms, whether you’re looking for practical advice to plan your next steps or simply spaces where you can talk through what’s happening. These resources can empower you to take action and find a safe space to heal and grow.
- StopBullying.gov
- Cyberbullying Research Center
- Cyberbullying - Nemours Kids Health
- Cyberbullying: Twenty Crucial Statistics for 2025 - Security.org
For those seeking ongoing mental health support, Counslr offers 24/7/365 access to wellness resources and live, text-based conversations with trained professionals, providing a confidential, judgment-free space to process what you’re going through and build coping strategies.
Addressing bullying begins with awareness and with courage. Silence allows harm to grow, but calling out harmful behavior, supporting those affected, and modeling respect in everyday interactions can shift cultures toward empathy and accountability.
This National Bullying Prevention Month, let’s remember that bullying is not a “kids’ issue.” It’s a human issue and one that touches every generation, every community, and every workplace. For the silent sufferers among us, your experience matters. You deserve support, and you’re not alone.
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