Youth Bullying: What does it mean?
Kids are playing in the schoolyard, spending lunch time with their friends, laughing, running, jumping; then there are those that are hiding a small niggling feeling in their stomach, that get picked on or pushed around by someone who is bigger than them, not yet fully understanding the differences between play and fight. And while not every child experiences bullying, it is something that is seen worldwide, and our local community isn't immune to it. In a sample of Australian students aged between 8-14, published in the Australian Covert Bullying Prevalence Study, it was reported that 1 in 4 students stated being bullied every few weeks or more, with the highest rate being reported by children aged 10-11, in year 5. (Cross et al., 2009). 1 in 4 students (27%) also reported being bullied from primary school through to high school, with hurtful teasing reported as the most common form bullying takes, followed by lying.
Every case of bullying is different and can take a range of forms, but none is less hurtful than any other. It can lead to more serious outcomes, where the child can develop a depressive disorder, or worse. According to youthbeyondblue.com(n.d.) approximately 1 in 35 young Australians, aged between 4-17 experience a depressive disorder, which is equal to 112,000 young people, and 1 in 7 experienced a mental health condition between 2013-14, which equates to around 550,000.
Let's break down the statistics:
1 in 35 young Australians aged between 4-17 experience a depressive disorder.
2.8% young Australians have experienced an affective disorder*.
This is equal to 112,000 young people.
1 in 7 young Australians experienced a mental health condition between 2014-14.
13.9% of children and adolescents experienced a mental disorder within this time.
Equates to around 550,000 people.
Evidence suggests 3 in 4 adult mental health conditions emerge by age 24 and half by age 14.
Half of all lifetime cases of mental health disorders start by age 14 years.
¾ lifetime cases of mental health disorders start by age 24 years.
The statistics surrounding youth suicide and mental health are alarming. As of 2015, the number of deaths by suicide in young Australians was sitting at the highest it has been in 10 years , and from April to September 2017, Kids Helpline received 3316 phone calls from young people aged 5-25 with a direct relation to suicide. The fact that children as young as five years old are having thoughts relating to suicide is shocking, as children are supposed to be happy and have very little concerns. Bullying is something that can be carried forward, and experienced through their whole life. Evidence suggests three in four adult mental health conditions emerge by age 24 and half by age 14.
