How does bullying make a child feel?

Bullying UK receives thousands of emails a year from young people, many of them feeling very distressed and powerless to put a stop to bullying.

Some of them have told us how bullying makes them feel:"She has taken all my friends away and I go home at night and I'm depressed and cry" -  girl aged 13

"One time I wouldn't eat because of people calling me 'fat' - boy aged 14

"Mondays were worst because I had to face the bully again and I soon got so worried it made me ill" - teenage girl

"I feel lonely and I want some advice about how to feel better about myself, going to school" - girl aged 15

"I feel like killing myself, it's that bad. I will probably end up in hospital, I have no friends and if I don't get help now I will end up a mess." -  girl aged 14

"Other kids trip me up and call me names. It got so bad once that I ran away from school" - boy aged 12

"They stir things up so people don't want to be my friend. I'm depressed, annoyed, stressed and keep breaking down in tears. I feel like I'm about to fall apart" - boy aged 13

"I pray to make the bullies better people but it really upsets me because none of my friends stick up for me. They just sit there and laugh - teenage girl

Contact us on help@bullying.co.uk if you need more help.

Other pages in this sectionBullying policies / Role of the DCSF / Is my child being bullied? / School bus bullies
Contacting the Governors and LEAa / Happy slapping / Internet safety advice for parents / Internet abuse
Is my child a bully? / If your child is bullying others / Do you share blame? / Dealing with an older bully
Teacher bullying / Home schooling / Bullying in sport / Parents' panel - Have your say
Who can help on racism / Parents' survey results / Moving your child to a new school / Pupils' survey results
Taking legal action / Bullying outside school / Independent and private schools / Parents' problem page
Model letters to help your complaint / National Bullying Survey 2006 / Cyber bullying introduction / Dangerous websites
Mobile phone problems / Practical help with racism / Dealing with racism / Internet scams
How does bullying make a child feel? / Dealing with a younger bully / Teachers' survey results / Adults' survey results
Contacting the school / Access to pupil records