WHAT IS VERBAL BULLYING?
Verbal bullying is when someone uses words to hurt, harass, or scare another person. Verbal bullying leaves targets feeling ashamed, humiliated, or even afraid. Discriminatory comments are jokes, slurs, or negative remarks about someone’s race, gender, sex, sexuality, age, or abilities. In a study of middle and high school students, 14% reported being made fun of, called names, or insulted.
VERBAL BULLYING AND MENTAL HEALTH
Verbal bullying can have a devastating effect on students’ mental health. Targets of bullying are at a higher risk for depression, anxiety, and self-harm. Children who bully are also at a higher risk for misusing substances, mental and behavioral problems, and experiencing violence.
IMPACT OF VERBAL ABUSE
Verbal abuse can impact every element of life, from academic performance to relationships to success at work. Just like any other form of abuse or bullying, verbal abuse has both short- and long-term consequences, including: Anxiety, Changes in mood, Chronic stress, Decreased self-esteem,Depression,Feelings of shame, guilt, and hopelessness, Post-traumatic stress disorder,Social withdrawal and isolation,Substance use. When verbal abuse is particularly severe, it can impact whether or not people can see themselves as being successful in any area of life. Those who experience verbal abuse as children may experience feelings of worthlessness, difficulty trusting others, and problems regulating their emotions as adults.
