Mental illness can increase the likelihood of bullying in adolescence. Teens struggling with mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder or bipolar disorder may act or speak differently. These differences can make them targets for peers who do not understand what they’re going through.
At Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness, we help teens build confidence and coping skills. Our programs support both teen mental health and bullying prevention in a safe, inclusive setting.
Understanding Bullying in Adolescence
Bullying in adolescence is more than teasing or joking around. It involves repeated behavior that harms, humiliates, or isolates another teen. These show up as name-calling, threats, physical harm, or spreading gossip at school, in public, or through social media.
Cyberbullying is especially common, where hurtful messages or images are shared on social media or through private messages. Online bullying can feel inescapable because it follows teens home and happens around the clock.
Teens are still figuring out how to handle friendships, conflicts, and the pressures of social life. During this time, peer approval becomes incredibly important, and fear of rejection is high. A teen’s sense of identity and self-worth often depends on how they’re treated by classmates and friends.
Some teens bully to gain attention or feel powerful. Others join in or stay silent out of fear they’ll be targeted next. Without support, bullying can lead to serious emotional harm, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, or dropping out of school.
Bullying in adolescence affects not just the person being bullied, but the whole school environment. When bullying is ignored, it becomes easier to justify cruelty, making it harder for vulnerable teens to feel safe or seen.
Are Teens with Mental Illness More Likely to Be Bullied?
Teens with mental health conditions are more likely to experience mental illness and peer rejection during adolescence. Mental illness can affect how a teen communicates, reacts to stress, or connects with others. Teens who are neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, or from minority backgrounds may face even greater levels of bullying and social isolation.
A teen with depression may seem withdrawn or uninterested in social activities. Someone with anxiety might avoid eye contact or panic in crowded settings. These behaviors can appear unusual to classmates who don’t understand what’s going on. Peers often misinterpret these signs, labeling the teen as awkward, aggressive, or overly emotional. This misunderstanding can lead to teasing, exclusion, or targeting.
In many cases, teens with mental illness struggle to speak up or set boundaries. Some have trouble recognizing unsafe social situations. Others may feel ashamed or believe they deserve the bullying, especially if their self-esteem is already low.
A large meta-analysis of 31 studies (133,688 young people) found that bullying victims had 2.77 times higher odds of depression. Teenagers who both bullied others and were bullied had even higher odds, 3.19 times more likely.
Being bullied can make mental health symptoms worse. It can also lead to isolation, school refusal, or self-harming behaviors. Over time, peer rejection and bullying can deepen a teen’s emotional pain and delay their recovery.
Can Mental Health Challenges Lead to Bullying Behaviors?
Not all teens with mental health conditions are bullied—some may become bullies themselves. This isn’t because they are “bad kids.” Sometimes, mental health challenges can affect how teens react to others or manage frustration.
Bullying and depression in teens often connect in unexpected ways. A teen struggling inside might act out to hide how low they feel. Sometimes, they try to control social situations when they feel powerless in other parts of life.
Other conditions, like untreated anxiety, trauma, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can lead to impulsive or aggressive behavior. These teens may not know how to express difficult emotions safely. Instead, they may use threats, teasing, or physical actions as a form of release or defense.
In some cases, bullying is a way for a teen to avoid being bullied themselves. They may act first to protect themselves from rejection. This doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it helps explain where it comes from.
Understanding this link allows caregivers and professionals to intervene early. When we treat the root emotional pain, we often see bullying behaviors start to fade.
The Vicious Cycle: How Bullying and Mental Illness Fuel Each Other
Bullying and mental illness often feed into each other, creating a painful loop. One makes the other worse over time. A teen who is bullied may develop depression, anxiety, or trauma symptoms. Then, these mental health struggles can make them more likely to be bullied again.
On the other side, a teen living with untreated mental illness may struggle with social cues. Their reactions might seem confusing or out of place to others. This can lead to adolescent peer conflict, including exclusion or ridicule. The more conflict they face, the more alone or unsafe they feel.
This cycle is hard to break without help. A teen may stop trusting others or shut down emotionally. Their grades, sleep, and sense of self-worth can all suffer. They may turn to unhealthy coping habits or withdraw completely from social life.
Teens with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are more likely to be targeted by bullies due to stigma and social isolation. Dual diagnosis treatment helps by addressing both issues together, reducing vulnerability and improving emotional resilience.
Without support, both the bullying and the mental health issues grow stronger. Over time, the damage becomes harder to undo. That’s why early intervention—both emotionally and socially—is so critical in adolescence.
How to Know Whether Your Teen is Being Bullied
Bullying can be easy to miss, especially in teenagers who are trying to hide their pain. Many teens stay silent because they feel embarrassed, confused, or afraid of making things worse. That’s why it’s important for parents and caregivers to know the signs and trust their instincts.
- Changes in Behavior: Your teen may become quiet, irritable, or withdrawn without a clear reason.
- Avoiding School: They may make excuses to stay home or suddenly dislike activities they once enjoyed.
- Unexplained Injuries or Lost Items: Look for bruises, missing belongings, or torn clothing with no clear explanation.
- Trouble Sleeping or Nightmares: Ongoing stress can lead to sleep issues or waking up frequently during the night.
- Declining Grades: Fear, anxiety, or distraction from bullying can make it harder to focus in school.
- Low Self-Esteem or Self-Blame: Your teen may talk down about themselves or say they deserve what’s happening.
- Physical Complaints With No Medical Cause: Headaches, stomachaches, or feeling sick can be signs of emotional distress.
It’s important to trust your instincts. If something feels off, talk to your teen gently and listen without judgment. If your teen shows persistent sadness, anxiety, or avoids social settings for more than two weeks, it’s time to seek professional help.
What Parents and Educators Can Do
Adults have a big influence on how teens cope with bullying and emotional stress. When parents and educators act early, they can prevent deeper harm. Teens are more likely to open up when they feel safe, supported, and taken seriously.
- Create Open Conversations: Ask direct but calm questions about friendships, school, and how your teen feels.
- Watch for Signs: Learn the common red flags and trust your gut if something doesn’t feel right.
- Respond Without Blame: If a teen opens up, avoid judgment and focus on how to help them feel safe.
- Lead by Example: Show teens how to treat others with kindness, and teach them to include peers and speak up against unfair behavior.
- Involve Counselors Early: School counselors and therapists can guide next steps and provide a safe space to talk.
- Address Peer Group Dynamics: Understand who your teen spends time with and how those relationships impact their emotional health.
- Tackle Social Stigma in Adolescence: Remind teens that mental health struggles are nothing to be ashamed of and help reduce the fear of judgment.
- Document and Report Bullying: Keep a record of what’s happening and inform the school or relevant authority as needed.
- Promote Social-Emotional Learning: Teaching teens emotional awareness and communication skills in school helps prevent peer conflict and builds empathy.
- Work With the School: Partner with school staff to ensure bullying policies are enforced and your teen feels safe in the classroom.
Teens are less likely to suffer in silence when they know the adults in their life believe them and will help.
How the Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness Can Help
At Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness, we focus on stopping the cycle of bullying and mental health issues with early, compassionate support. Teens who are hurting often don’t have the tools to express what they feel or ask for help. That’s why we focus on creating a safe space where teens feel seen, understood, and supported from day one.
Our treatment plans are personalized and trauma-informed. We help teens manage emotions, build confidence, and understand their social world more clearly. Being in group therapy helps teens connect with others facing the same challenges, which can ease isolation and build trust.
Our staff includes licensed therapists and adolescent mental health experts who specialize in emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, and peer conflict. We also support parents with guidance and tools to rebuild trust and healthy communication at home. When teens are supported early, they gain the skills to stand up to bullying and recover from emotional harm.
Whether your teen is being bullied or showing signs of emotional distress, early support can change their future. Start the journey today by reaching out to us or completing our admission form—we offer support that meets your teen where they are.