Bullying causes lasting emotional harm

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - It's not just the kids getting picked on who are hurt by bullying.   One in four school age children have been bullied at least once. 

And, as researchers dig deeper into the impact it has on victims, we're learning more about the aggressors.

“In middle school there was more bullying, kind of girls being mean to girls,” said college student Abby Heath.

Bullying can happen anywhere. And a recent Duke Medicine study says both the victim and the bully can suffer from lasting psychological harm.

“Oh yeah, the guilt, I'd imagine if you are a young kid and you do that and there's consequences of suicidal behavior after that. Oh my God, I can't imagine,” said Melanie Wright of Northampton. 

Duke researchers followed more than 1,400 children from the age of nine until adulthood. 26% reported being bullied at least once. Nearly 200 of them admitted to bullying others.  Those who were both victims and aggressors were found to be at a higher risk of panic disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts.

“There was this one particular person who used to bully a lot of different people at my elementary school. We both graduated high school and everything and I found out recently that he ended up killing himself,” said Seth Newton of Easthampton.

We've felt the tragic consequences of bullying here in the Pioneer Valley.  The stories of suicide victims Phoebe Prince and Carl Walker-Hoover led to new anti-bullying laws and an increased awareness in schools. 

Amherst Child Psychiatrist Dr. Tim Hope says learning how to respond to bullying is the first step to a safer environment.

“So if we can help them with their self esteem their emotions, their anxieties, their depression. We can help them build up their families’ strong foundation and strong support.  They [then] are less likely to be bullies and they are more likely to be happy and productive,” said Hope.

Other factors that contributed to emotional disorders were poverty and problems at home.