How to find support for bullying

Bullying can take place anywhere including school, the workplace, at home and online. There are many different types of bullying but no matter what the situation is, it is important to remember that it is not your fault that you’re being bullied.

It can be very difficult to deal with a bully on your own. If you are experiencing bullying, know that there are always places to turn to for help. You are not alone and with support, the bullying can be stopped.

Finding support for bullying in Ireland

Speak with a trusted adult

If you are experiencing bullying, it is important to speak with an adult that you trust. This could be a parent, another family member, a friend, a teacher, a colleague or your boss. They will be able to provide you with advice and help you to take further action to end the bullying.

Bullying can be very isolating. Speaking with someone will help you to feel supported as you take steps to address the bully’s behaviour.

Report the behaviour

If you are being bullied at school or college, remember that you are not alone. There is plenty of help available for you and this situation can and will be resolved. Speak with your school’s guidance counsellor or principal about what is happening. It is likely that they have plenty of experience in dealing with similar situations.

While many people only think of bullying in the school setting, it can happen anywhere, including the workplace. All employers are required by law to prevent bullying and harassment at work. Workplace bullying not only affects your wellbeing, it also impacts your ability to do your job and it should not be ignored. If you are being bullied by a co-worker, your boss or a superior, a client, a customer or any business contact, it is important that you seek help. Read our article on bullying in the workplace to get more information on what you can do if you or someone you know is experiencing this.

Take care of yourself

Bullying can have an impact on your mental health. If you are being bullied, you may feel anxious, lonely, isolated, stressed or depressed. The bullying may lower your confidence and self-esteem. These effects of bullying might impact other areas of your life such as school, work and relationships.

It is completely normal to feel this way if you are experiencing bullying. If you think your bullying experience is affecting your health, you might consider seeking professional help. Remember, with the right support, it is always possible to improve your mental health.

Speaking with a counsellor can be very helpful in these situations. They will be able to provide you with a safe space to talk about your experience and can help you deal with any unwanted thoughts and feelings that may have arisen as a result. Many people find that counselling provides great relief during distressing times. Speaking with a non-judgmental person about your problems can help you to feel less alone and find ways to move forward.

Bullying support services in Ireland

Experiencing bullying can be incredibly distressing, but you don’t have to face it alone. There are many organisations you can reach out to for free and non-judgmental support:

Text About It

Text About It is a free, anonymous, 24/7 messaging service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for our mental health and emotional wellbeing.

To talk to a trained volunteer now, free-text or WhatsApp SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin.

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.

Childline

Childline has a 24 hour freephone number for under 18’s – you can call 1800 666 666 any time, day or night.

You can also chat to someone from Childline online 24 hours a day, every day.

TeenLine

Teenline is a 24/7 national active listening service for children and young people up to the age of 18 in Ireland. You can contact them for free any time of the day or night by calling 1800 833 634.

TeenLine is free to contact and is confidential, non-directive and non-judgmental.

Samaritans

Samaritans are a 24/7 active listening service, there to listen to you no matter what’s going on. You can talk to a Samaritans volunteer for free by calling 116 123 any time of the day or night.

LGBT Ireland

LGBT Ireland offer support services to LGTBQAI+ people in Ireland. They are available to listen in confidence and without judgement, seven days a week. You can talk to them by phone or online through their instant messaging service or by going to one of their peer support groups. Whatever is on your mind they are here to listen.

National LGBT+ helpline: Freephone 1800 929 539
Opening hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 6:30pm to 10:00pm
• Fridays: 4:00pm to 10:00pm
• Weekends: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone?

• Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
• Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
• Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin
• Find out more about our text message support service

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.