There are serious mental, physical and psychological health implications for children who experience bullying at school, with symptoms including low self-esteem and suicidal tendencies, a press conference heard yesterday.
At the publication of a guidebook on how to deal with bullying in secondary schools, Dr Maria Lawlor, consultant psychiatrist with the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB), said a study had shown that 21 per cent of victims of bullying felt angry, sad, depressed or anxious.
But some 50 per cent of victims of persistent bullying said they felt suicidal.
"The research shows that there are long-term effects on self-esteem and interpersonal relationships," Dr Lawlor said. "Bullying can be the cause of a range of mental health problems in young people . . . being bullied, you're afraid. And you're afraid it's going to happen again."
The NEHB "Cool School" anti-bullying programme's book is entitled Bullying in Secondary School: What Parents Need to Know.
It is the third in a series produced by the Cool School Programme - an anti-bullying initiative for post-primary schools developed by the NEHB.
The Minister of State with responsibility for children, Mr Brian Lenihan, said the Cool School initiative provided a practical way for schools and parents to translate guidelines on bullying into policy.
It should be developed elsewhere in the country.