DOHA: Bullying at schools can cause great deal of harm and psychological problems among kids and are becoming a common phenomenon requiring immediate attention, said an expert.
Though definite data is not available, the school advisory clinic and child and adolescent mental health services at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) often see children with problems related to bullying, Dr Manal Osman (pictured below), Associate Consultant, Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) at HMC told The Peninsula.
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated over time. “There is physical, verbal, social and cyber bullying. It effects children and there is need to give more importance to address the problem. In the last few years, bullying has become very evident. It is common at schools and we see children suffering from this issue frequently. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems,” said Dr Osman.
There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying. It can include low self-esteem, start to have psychosomatic symptoms such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, frequent headaches, stomach pain, refusing to go to school without proper reasons.
“Both parents and teachers have the responsibility and should intervene immediately if a child is subject to bullying. If they notice any changes in the child, they should take care, talk to the child and listen to their problems. The child should be made to feel secured,” said Dr Osman.
“Bullying is more common among children between 10 years and adolescent age. We receive children directly referred by schools. Sometimes we find it accidentally on receiving a child with some other problem. Some children present with psychiatric problems and we find bullying is behind it,” she added.
Children who bully others are more likely to get into physical or verbal fights, have friends who bully others, increasingly aggressive, blame others for their problems, do not accept responsibility for their actions and are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity.
According to international data, at least one third of school going children are either victims or involved in bullying.
