Abena Adoko Sando, an LCSW-C in Baltimore, Maryland has extensive experience providing trauma-informed, evidence-based, and holistic care to youth in treatment foster care and juvenile justice systems. Sando, founder and owner of Step of Faith LLC, a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) serves adults and minors in Baltimore, Maryland. Step of Faith LLC promotes mental health recovery, independence, and overall wellness. She also operates the Step of Faith LLC Group Practice, a staffed, multidisciplinary behavioral health clinic.
October is recognized as National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about bullying. Sando provides insight into bullying, the impact of it on youth, and how trusted adults can respond if they find out a young person is being bullied.
What is bullying?
Bullying is unwanted aggressive behavior by one or more individuals involving a real or perceived power imbalance and repeated or likely repeated actions causing harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024), bullying “is any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners. It involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated,” Sando stated.
Beyond physical, verbal, relational, and cyberbullying, other types of bullying can be overlooked. They include identity-based bullying (racial, religious, disability-related); exclusionary or relational aggression; covert digital harassment; workplace “mobbing;” and bullying by omission or neglect, according to PREVNet (https://www.prevnet.ca/bullying/types-of-bullying/, Medical News Today, and Williamsburg Therapy Group.
“These behaviors are often normalized, invisible, or dismissed as ‘kids being kids,’” Sando cautioned. However, bullying is a major public health problem with lasting consequences, not a harmless “rite of passage.”
“Research shows links to anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, poor academic performance, and even long- term mental health problems,” said Sando.
Bullying Trends and How to Respond to Youth Who Bully Other Peers
Sando points out the value of knowing where to learn more about bullying, and how adults, educators and community members can support bullied youth and appropriately address bullies.
“Schools should have written anti-bullying policies; confidential reporting systems; multidisciplinary response teams; family engagement; and prevention programs that emphasize social-emotional learning and restorative practices,” she stated.
StopBullying.gov (www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/what-is-bullying), an informative source, allows readers to learn more about bullying trends such as increased cyberbullying; overlooked relational aggression; identity-based bullying; bullying among youth with mental health conditions; normalization of aggression; and the resilience of peer support as a protective factor.
Additionally, parents should promptly respond to bullying if they suspect that their child is involved in doing it. Educators should learn how to engage with parents and youth to foster a positive school climate.
“Learning how to talk about bullying with youth is a critical step. Know about your obligations under your state’s anti-bullying law. Learn also about federal laws,” StopBullying.gov notes online (https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/what-you-can-do).
Bullying can happen outside of school. Community members—who can consist of parents and caregivers, should monitor trauma symptoms and coordinate care with therapists and schools, according to Sando. She further mentioned that outside school, children need emotional safety, validation, and structured coping support. Participating in activities such as journaling, mindfulness, relaxation, and social connection can help youth deal with bullying.
“It’s important to take bullying seriously and not just brush it off as something that kids have to “tough out.” The effects can be serious and affect kids’ sense of safety and self-worth. In severe cases, bullying has contributed to tragedies, such as suicides and school shootings,” Nemours Children’s Health https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/bullies.html reports.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies’ practice guide https://aifs.gov.au/resources/practice-guides/helping-your-child-stop-bullying-guide-parents gives parents an online resource to help them take action to prevent bullying behavior from escalating.
Bullying Touches Youth of All Ages
Bullying is a serious problem that needs to be addressed in our society beyond October.
“Bullying disrupts emotional regulation, social learning, academic engagement, and health. It leads to anxiety, depression, somatic complaints, and long-term effects on cognitive and emotional development,” said Sando, mentioning how it can affect a younger child’s development.
Teenagers can be bullied and traumatized by experiencing it.
“High school bullying increases the risk of depression; suicidality; poor academic performance; absenteeism; social withdrawal; and long-term maladjustment,” Sando mentioned.
Adults can bully children through verbal, emotional, or physical intimidation, especially in schools, homes, or institutions.
“This behavior can cause trauma and mistrust of authority,” Sando added.
Learn more about Sando and Step of Faith Health LLC via www.stepoffaithhealth.com.