How does bullying affect health and well-being?

Bullying can affect physical and emotional health, both in the short term
and later in life. It can lead to physical injury, social problems,
emotional problems, and even death.1 Those who are bullied are at
increased risk for mental health problems, headaches, and problems
adjusting to school.2 Bullying also can cause long-term damage to self-
esteem.3
Children and adolescents who are bullies are at increased risk for
substance use, academic problems, and violence to others later in life.2
Those who are both bullies and victims of bullying suffer the most
serious effects of bullying and are at greater risk for mental and
behavioral problems than those who are only bullied or who are
only bullie

What Is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that
involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or
has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and
who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and

include:

 An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as

physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or
popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change
over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same
people.
 Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the
potential to happen more than once.