I’m being bullied, what can I do?

Phoebe Simcock, 28th Jul 2021
Tags: Life Blog Bullying Education Friendship

Let’s be real with each other and say that experiencing bullying, talking about bullying, or finding out that a friend is being bullied is really hard. It’s such a difficult topic because it’s usually hidden by those experiencing it.

I find hidden topics are best spoken about, so that no one feels like they are dealing with it alone. So let’s talk about bullying and normalise asking for help and guidance.

Here are some suggestions of things that you can do to help yourself or others with the effects of being bullied.

Distance and distract

Even if the bullying is isolated to school or work, you can still be left with feelings of worry when you come home. This is also applicable to online bullying, and in this case, there sometimes seems that there is no escape from it at all. 

Blocking the bully would definitely be my first suggestion.

Blocking the bully would definitely be my first suggestion, and avoiding excessive phone use particularly before bed. 

If it’s someone who isn’t a friend, the best case can be to keep a distance from them as much as possible, if you don’t feel comfortable confronting them. This could mean changing routines but don’t feel like you’re running from them, you’re simply caring for yourself until you’re ready to conquer it. 

If you’re being bullied by someone that you would class as a friend, avoiding them could seem tricky but creating a distance slowly and avoiding social plans with them could be a start. Try distractions where you are fully immersed such as reading, gaming or writing in a journal.

Take care

Forgetting to take care of yourself when being bullied can lead to feeling more stressed and the effects of mental health feeling more intense. 

In some cases, people bully to make themselves feel better but the victim will inevitably feel worse. When we let negativity consume us on a daily basis, our minds and bodies take the hit.

A negative mind can sometimes manipulate us.

A negative mind can sometimes manipulate us to change our eating habits, hobbies and distance ourselves from others. 

Don’t let your mind or another person influence you into thinking that you should live your life differently. Keep eating regular meals, stay hydrated, stick with your fun hobbies and spend time with those who love you.

Speak out

I’ve left this one until last for a reason, because it is by far the hardest. 

When put into a difficult situation, your brain and your speech seem to work differently. Suddenly, your brain can’t figure out how to word things properly and your mouth dries up and seems redundant. That’s because bullying is hard, and speaking about it can make it seem more real. 

By speaking to someone about yourself or someone that you’re worried about, they can keep an eye on things too and may have suggestions about how to conquer what is going on.

An honest open conversation could be beneficial.

The same could apply, if you felt confident enough, to speaking to the person who is doing the bullying. An honest open conversation could be beneficial if they are not aware how much they are hurting you.

Bullying can feel very scary, so don’t deal with it alone. If you don’t feel comfortable contacting someone you know, the helplines below could be a good support for you.

Places you can go for help

• Premier Lifeline Open 9am to midnight every day on 0300 111 0101.
• Text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK. Text YM to 85258.
• Samaritans 116 123. Call us free, day or night, 365 days a year.