Bullying is a deliberate, distinctive and repeated pattern of harming and humiliating others.  While often associated with physical and verbal shaming, electronic or cyberbullying has risen in the past decade with the growth of social media and online communications, and the increasing ubiquity of hand-held technology. At least one-third of Canadian youth report being bullied according to the non-profit BullyingCanada.  The charity also reports that bullied kids can become withdrawn, often perform poorly in school due to the loss of confidence/focus, can suffer from physical pain (stomach aches, headaches, panic attacks, etc.) and suffer nightmares.

Bullying is also not an age-designated trauma, it can happen amongst adult peers, colleagues, and at the workplace. Adult bullying has become predominantly visible since the pandemic. Toxic workplaces are real and it can have a detrimental effect on a person’s psyche.