Psychiatrist sounds alarm on rising school bullying

ISLAMABAD:

A clinical psychiatrist has urged society to rethink its approach to bullying and called on parents to play an active role in preventing peer victimisation in schools, warning that the issue severely impacts adolescents' emotional well-being, social development and academic performance.

Speaking to a local media channel, renowned clinical psychiatrist Dr Sana Farooq highlighted the alarming rise in bullying and peer victimisation among school-going adolescents, describing it as a growing public health concern rather than isolated incidents.

She stressed the need for teachers to take bullying seriously and engage proactively with students instead of overlooking the problem. Educators, she said, must create safe spaces for open dialogue and remain vigilant in identifying early warning signs to provide timely support to affected students.

Dr Farooq explained that bullying can have lasting psychological effects on victims, often leading to anxiety, depression and declining academic performance. She called for a collective societal response to address the root causes of bullying by promoting empathy, respect and inclusion within educational environments. Emphasising the role of parents, she urged them to maintain open and honest communication with their children and instil values of kindness and understanding from an early age. According to her, fostering emotional intelligence at home can significantly reduce the likelihood of children becoming victims or perpetrators of bullying.

She also underscored the importance of collaboration between schools and mental health professionals, recommending counselling sessions, peer-support programmes and anti-bullying initiatives to break the cycle of abuse.