Bullying has, unfortunately, one of the strongest effects on mental health and well-being. Bullying does not just happen in children, but can occur in the adult workplace. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that mental illness is one of the fastest growing types of disability (2011) and therefore occupational therapists need to be aware of the problems and some causative factors, such as bullying. The purpose of this review is to look at the paper “Impact of Bullying on Adult Health, Wealth, Crime, and Social Outcomes” (Wolke, Copeland, Angold & Costello, 2013) to evaluate the role that the occupational therapist can play in the evaluation and treatment of bullying-related mental health issues.
Bullying is an important issue. The development of new technologies and more public evaluation of bullying means that it has evolved and become more prominent in the public eye. There are many children who have recently been featured in the news who have committed suicide over cyberbullying – such as Rebecca Ann Sedwick. (Sullivan, 2013). It is important socioculturally to understand the ways in which bullying is changing and the way that it affects its victims. Wolke et al (2013) evaluated children to assess for bullying and then followed them into adulthood. There was a distinct link between bullying in childhood (either as a bully or as a victim) and lower health outcomes, particularly mental health. It also was seen to have an effect on future wealth and careers.
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Bearing this in mind, there are several ways in which occupational therapists can play a part in preventing bullying or reducing the effects of bullying. Firstly, they can teach coping skills. These could involve learning to deal with feelings with respect to the bully, or learning how to deal with and respond to bullies. Occupational therapists could also make recommendations for education for some individuals who may benefit from moving schools or colleges. Finally, occupational therapists are involved in medication management for those who have developed a mental health issue in response to their bullying (Creek & Lougher, 2008).
- Creek, J., & Lougher, L. (2008). Occupational Therapy and Mental Health. Elsevier Health Sciences.
- Sullivan, J. (2013, October 15). Rebecca Ann Sedwick was bullied for more than a year. But neither moving to another town nor her recent death ended the cruelty. The Toronto Star. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/
- WHO. (2011). Mental Health Atlas. WHO. Retrieved October 17, 2013, from http://www.who.int
- Wolke, D., Copeland, W. E., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2013). Impact of Bullying in Childhood on Adult Health, Wealth, Crime, and Social Outcomes. Psychological Science, 24(10), 1958–1970.
