Bullying and Your Child’s Mental Health: When Therapy May Help

Bullying can affect a child’s sense of safety, confidence, school attendance, and relationships. It may happen in person, through group chats, in gaming spaces, or on social media. Because children often fear retaliation, embarrassment, or losing access to a device, they may not tell an adult directly.

Signs Your Child May Be Affected by Bullying

A single change does not prove bullying is happening, but patterns deserve attention. Watch for:

• Unexplained injuries or missing belongings

• Headaches, stomachaches, or requests to stay home

• Sudden changes in grades, concentration, or attendance

• Sleep problems, nightmares, or appetite changes

• Withdrawal from friends, activities, or family

• Anxiety around a phone, group chat, or school event

• Increased irritability, shame, hopelessness, or self-criticism

• Talk of self-harm, suicide, or not wanting to be alive

How to Respond Without Increasing Shame

Start calmly: “I have noticed you seem worried before school, and I want to understand.” Listen before giving advice. Thank your child for telling you, make clear that bullying is not their fault, and avoid promising total secrecy when safety is involved.

Do not immediately confront another child or post publicly. A measured response helps preserve evidence and reduces the chance of escalation.

Document and Coordinate

Write down dates, locations, witnesses, and what occurred. Save screenshots, messages, usernames, and links related to cyberbullying. Ask the school about its reporting and safety procedures, identify a trusted adult your child can approach, and agree on a follow-up plan.

For online incidents, block and report accounts when appropriate, review privacy settings, and avoid punishing your child by automatically removing every device. Fear of losing online access can make children less likely to report future problems.

Rebuild Safety and Connection

Maintain routines and encourage supportive friendships, activities, sleep, and time away from hostile online spaces. Collaborate with your child on next steps so they retain a sense of control. Practice brief responses and exit strategies without placing responsibility for stopping the bullying on them.

When Child or Teen Therapy May Help

Therapy may help when fear, sadness, anger, school avoidance, isolation, or physical symptoms persist. It can provide a safe space to process what happened, challenge shame, strengthen coping skills, and rebuild confidence. Parent guidance can help families respond consistently and advocate effectively.

Chana Tombosky provides developmentally responsive, trauma-informed therapy for children, teens, and families dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, bullying, and life transitions:

https://www.lvtmentalhealth.com/chana-tombosky-child-teen-family-therapist-las-vegas

Learn more about child, teen, and family therapy in Las Vegas:

https://www.lvtmentalhealth.com/child-teen-family-therapy-las-vegas

Take Threats and Self-Harm Seriously

If your child may be in immediate danger, contact emergency services. If there is suicidal thinking or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 in the United States. Call 911 for immediate danger.

Connect With Support in Las Vegas

Request an appointment:

https://lasvegastherapy.clientsecure.me/request/clinician

Or contact Las Vegas Therapy:

https://www.lvtmentalhealth.com/contact