October is Bullying Awareness Month

Oct 15, 2025 / Behavioral Health, School Age
By Molly Hellman, LCSW / Draper

The start of the school year brings much excitement, learning, and friendship opportunities. But for some students, it also brings the harsh reality of bullying. Exposure to bullying can impact your child’s mental health, as it can lead to depression, anxiety, academic struggles, and other emotional challenges.

As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in recognizing the signs of bullying and responding in ways that support and empower your child!

How to Recognize the Signs of Bullying

As children grow older, they often become less open about sharing their experiences, and bullying is no exception. There are many reasons why your child may not tell you they’re being bullied. One of the most common reasons is due to fear of retaliation.

Kids often fear that the bullying will worsen or happen more frequently if they tell an adult. Some may experience a fear of not being believed or that their experiences will be minimized or discredited. Children may also keep their experiences of bullying to themselves due to shame or embarrassment.

Because of this, it’s important to watch for warning signs. These can show up in different ways:

Emotional Changes: Has your child been experiencing an increase in mood swings, anxiety, sadness, or emotional withdrawal?
Behavioral Shifts: Has your child been avoiding school, losing interest in activities, or experiencing noticeable changes in sleep or eating habits?
Physical Symptoms: Does your child complain of frequent headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue?
Social Isolation: Has your child suddenly lost friends or withdrawn from social activities?
Academic Decline: Has there been a shift in your child’s academic performance or teacher reports of classroom behavior?

How to Talk to Your Child about Bullying

If you recognize any of the symptoms above, or if you suspect your child is being bullied, then it’s time to have a conversation with them! When talking to your child, keep in mind their potential hesitations in opening up to you and be sensitive to your child’s needs. Here are some key tips for starting a conversation:

Don’t rush in to “fix” the problem. This approach can increase your child’s fear of retaliation. Instead, ask questions like, “How do you want to move forward?” or “How can I best support you right now?”
Validate their experience. Do not underreact to the situation! Avoid saying minimizing comments such as, “You’re being too sensitive.” Let your child know their feelings are real and valid.
Avoid blame. Don’t ask questions that suggest your child has caused the bullying like, “Why do you think they pick on you?” Additionally, don’t link the bullying to any aspect of their appearance, personality, presentation, or identity. Your goal is to create a safe space for them to open up. Bringing up shame/blame may cause them to shut down.

What to Do Next: How To Intervene

Once you’ve identified bullying and talked to your child, here’s how you can help:

Document the incidents. Help your child to keep a record of the bullying, including dates, times, locations, and details. This will help in any follow-up steps.
Contact the school. Collaborate with your child on a plan to contact the school. Work with the school staff to address your concerns within the school’s anti-bullying policies and procedures. Bring the documentation of bullying to support your concerns.
Involve teachers directly. Many forms of bullying are subtle and may go unnoticed. Ask your child if they feel comfortable talking to their teacher. Teachers can play a vital role in calling attention to bullying and taking appropriate action to end it.
Support self-esteem. Bullying can manifest as negative thoughts or internalized harmful beliefs. You can help your child’s negative thinking patterns by teaching them simple Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills:
1. Help your child identify their negative thoughts associated with the bullying such as “Nobody likes me.”
2. Gently challenge those thoughts with questions like, “Is that always true?” or “What would you say to a friend who felt that way?”
3. Guide them to come up with a more balanced thought. For example, “One person is teasing me, but that doesn’t mean no one likes me.”
Consider therapy. If bullying has impacted your child’s well-being, connecting with a mental health professional can be helpful. Behavioral health services are available at our Wasatch Pediatric offices. Talk to your pediatrician for more information or a referral.

By recognizing the signs of bullying, having supportive conversations, and taking thoughtful action, you can play a key role in helping your child build resilience and better navigate these difficult experiences.

Resources

Teen Bullying: A CBT Approach to Addressing the Issue | Psychology Today

Empowering Parents: A Therapist’s Guide to Responding to Bullying — San Diego Institute of Therapy

Child and Teen Bullying: How to Help When Your Kid is Bullied