Research suggests that youth who experience bullying and/or cyberbullying may be more at risk for suicidal thoughts. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Angela Asch, CSBA principal research manager and author of the Safe Schools Toolkit section on bullying and cyberbullying, is sharing relevant insights and resources for local educational agencies in this Q&A.
What are the most common forms of bullying and cyberbullying, and how can they impact young people?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines bullying as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another individual or group that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or is highly likely to be repeated. 
Bullying occurs in person and involves physical, psychological, social and educational harm; social isolation; rumor spreading and shaming behavior.
Bullying can cause negative mental health effects such as depression and anxiety; academic impacts such as school avoidance and failing grades; and physical health effects such as not eating, disrupted sleep or substance use and abuse that may continue into adulthood.
Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that can occur on any digital device, via text and on online platforms such as social media apps, online games, instant messaging apps or in chat forums. It can include cyberstalking, harassment, name calling, ridiculing, embarrassing or shaming an individual and/or public sharing of private sexual images, both real and generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that in the 2021–22 school year, 19 percent of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school. According to the 2022 Kids Online Health and Safety Taskforce, cyberbullying is one of the most prevalent risk factors for suicide-related behaviors in youth. A 2022 study from the Pew Research Center found that, of those surveyed, “nearly half (49 percent percent) of 15- to 17-year-olds, and 42 percent of those ages 13-14, reported being threatened or harassed, or receiving explicit images that they did not request.”
What student groups/ages are most often the target of bullying/cyberbullying?
Anyone can be bullied, and anyone can bully. However, in the 2021–22 academic year, female students reported being bullied more than their male peers (22 percent versus 17 percent, respectively). Also, research from the Kids Online Health and Safety Taskforce shares that, “LGBTQI+ youth, youth from racial and ethnic minority groups, and youth with disabilities are more likely to experience cyberbullying than their peers.”
Additionally, research in 2023 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 20 percent of all high school students had suicidal ideation during the past year, and “female students were more likely than male students to seriously consider attempting suicide. LGBTQ+ students were more likely than cisgender and heterosexual students to seriously consider attempting suicide.”
What are other common factors that can lead young people to thoughts of suicide/self-harm?
The American Academy of Pediatrics identified risk factors that may contribute to thoughts of self-harm and suicide ideation, including:
- Previous suicide attempts or family history of suicide
- Mental health conditions (such as depression)
- Social isolation, bullying or family or peer conflict
- Substance use
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Barriers to health care, stigma associated with mental health or help-seeking
- Access to lethal means
- Unsafe media portrayals of suicide
- Systemic trauma or experiences based on socioeconomic factors, race/ethnicity or gender/gender identity
What CSBA resources are available to members to support students’ mental health?
CSBA provides several resources including the recently published Safe Schools Toolkit as well as a mental health webpage and a brief on adolescent mental health.
CSBA’s Research and Education Policy Development (REPD) team will be at the 2024 Annual Education Conference and Trade Show hosting several sessions. I encourage AEC attendees to join the session “Inclusive School Climate Strategies for Student Success” on Dec. 6. The session will share emerging research on the loneliness epidemic, its role in student mental health and the need to build inclusive, supportive learning communities.
What preventative measures can LEAs take to support students year-round, and how can board members help?
All adults are role models who can change cultural norms and alter behaviors. Thus, LEA leaders can share their strategies for supporting their own physical and mental health and share resources available for students. They can also allocate funding for continuing staff professional development, additional support staff, and collaborations with community organizations that support and or provide mental health services.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Open conversations can destigmatize the topic, increasing the likelihood youth will reach out for help when they need it. Additionally, the Kids Online Health and Safety Taskforce notes: “Positive, prosocial interpersonal relationships with parents/caregivers, other adults, or peers may protect against bullying, other forms of youth violence, and suicidality or self-harm. Thus, creating protective community environments through community norms or culture change can have protective effects against different forms of violence including bullying, adverse childhood experiences, sexual violence, and suicide or self-harm.”
Throughout the year, LEAs can:
- Actively promote local resources available to students by using their existing communications channels, creating a dedicated page on their websites, and sharing resources at school events such as at back-to-school nights.
- Ensure students and families know how to connect with school counselors, nurses, administrators or educators when they need support.
- Engage with students and families to hear directly what supports are needed and gather feedback on resources provided. Partner with local community organizations to expand mental health services.
