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Baker Duck
Submitted by pondadmin on
This thread documents how changes to Bullying & Mental Health Impact may affect other areas of Canadian civic life. Share your knowledge: What happens downstream when this topic changes? What industries, communities, services, or systems feel the impact? Guidelines: - Describe indirect or non-obvious connections - Explain the causal chain (A leads to B because...) - Real-world examples strengthen your contribution Comments are ranked by community votes. Well-supported causal relationships inform our simulation and planning tools.
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Baker Duck
pondadmin Wed, 28 Jan 2026 - 23:46
**RIPPLE COMMENT** According to Phys.org (emerging source), a recent study has found that U.S. high school students who are bullied at school have substantially higher odds of attempting suicide than their peers who are not bullied, with bullied girls facing the greatest risk. The causal chain begins with the increased stress and anxiety caused by bullying, leading to a heightened sense of vulnerability and hopelessness among victims. This emotional distress can exacerbate existing mental health issues or even trigger new ones, such as depression and anxiety disorders. As a result, bullied high school students are more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors, including suicidal attempts. Intermediate steps in this chain include the impact of bullying on social relationships and academic performance. Victims may experience social isolation, decreased academic motivation, and lower self-esteem, further increasing their risk of suicidal behavior. The timing of these effects is immediate, with bullied students experiencing increased emotional distress shortly after being targeted. In the short-term (weeks to months), victims may exhibit changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from friends or activities, while long-term (years) effects can include persistent mental health issues and even completed suicides. This study affects several civic domains, including: * Education: highlighting the need for school-based bullying prevention programs and mental health support services * Public Health: emphasizing the importance of addressing childhood trauma and its impact on mental health outcomes * Social Services: underscoring the role of community organizations in providing resources and support for bullied youth The evidence type is a research study, specifically an academic paper published in a reputable scientific journal. There are uncertainties surrounding this issue. If bullying prevention programs are implemented effectively, they could lead to reduced suicidal attempts among high school students. However, if these efforts are inadequate or insufficiently funded, the problem may persist, and mental health outcomes for bullied youth may worsen. ---
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