Navigating Bullying & Discrimination
When Clementine sees a boy being discriminated against and bullied in the alley as she’s leaving piano lessons, she freezes, unsure of what to do. Freezing is an instinctual response—but as Mrs. Lee later points out, she should have helped. But what could she have done? She’s just Clementine. Knowing what to do in those moments can give kids the confidence to stand up for themselves and others.
WHAT IS BULLYING?
Bullying is an intentional and repeated pattern of unwanted and harmful behaviours or comments directed at a person by another person or group of people (Anti-bullying Alliance, n.d.). It involves a power imbalance between the bully and their victim, where the aggressor uses size, social status, age, or information to control or harm their target.
Bullying can take many forms:
- Physical: hitting, kicking, shoving, damaging belongings.
- Verbal: name-calling, mocking, teasing, threats.
- Emotional: spreading rumors, social exclusion, intimidation.
- Online (Cyberbullying): sending hurtful messages or threats, sharing embarrassing or private content.
The impact can be serious and long-lasting. Kids who are bullied often experience anxiety, depression, loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, and decreased academic achievements (Stopbullying.gov, n.d.). They report more sleeping problems (van Geel et al., 2015), are at higher risk of being overweight than nonbullied children (Baldwin et al., 2015), and are twice as likely to attempt suicide if targeted online (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010). Being bullied increases the risk of mental health struggles, anxiety, depression, and self-harm (Rivara and Le Menestrel, 2016). These effects can last into adulthood.
Bullying has also been shown to negatively affect bullies over the long term. Bullies are 37% more likely to commit criminal offenses as adults (Public Safety Canada, n.d.). They are also more likely to display anti-social behaviours like sexual harassment, workplace harassment, date violence, and gang activity (Public Safety Canada, n.d.)
For an in-depth read on the physical, mental, and emotional consequences of bullying, check out the 2016 report, “Preventing Bullying Through Science, Policy, and Practice.”
If You Are Bing Bullied
1. STAY CALM. Try not to show anger or fear — bullies are looking for a reaction… don’t give it to them.
2. SPEAK UP. If you feel safe, tell them firmly and calmly to stop.
3. WALK AWAY. If you can’t speak up, walk away and find a safe place.
4. SEEK ALLIES. Tell an adult you trust. You can also call or text a bullying helpline.
5. RECORD IT. Write down what happened — dates, places, people, what was said or done, etc.
6. REPORT IT. Report it to your school admin. If you are unsafe, contact the police.
If You See Someone Being Bullied
1. STAND UP, by telling the bully to stop, changing the topic, or creating a distraction.
2. DON’T JOIN IN. Don’t laugh or participate, it will only encourage the bully to continue.
3. BE AN ALLY. Offer the person being bullied support. “Are you okay?” goes a long way.
4. REPORT IT. Tell an adult you can trust, like a teacher, counselor, or parent, what you saw. Include specifics.
5. BE INCLUSIVE. Bullying can make people feel very isolated. Invite them into conversations, games, or activities so they feel included.
PARENTS & TEACHERS
1. LISTEN. All reports of bullying should be taken seriously, as bullying can be a life-or-death matter.
2. DON’T JUDGE. “We listen and we don’t judge,” is a great motto. It only takes one judgmental response to lose trust.
3. DOCUMENT. Document all bullying incidents and involve others when necessary.
4. EDUCATE. Teaching kids about empathy, respect, and the impact of bullying can help reduce instances later.
5. BE INCLUSIVE. Create a safe environment where differences are celebrated.
6. BE A ROLE MODEL — kids learn a lot from watching how adults behave.
WHAT IS DISCRIMINATION?
Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of a person or group of people based on personal characteristics like race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disabilities—unchangeable aspects of a person’s identity (Canadian Human Rights Commission, n.d.).
Discrimination can be intentional or unintentional (Canadian Human Rights Commission, n.d.). Intentional discrimination is when someone chooses to mistreat or bully others, based on prejudice or a lack of understanding. Unintentional discrimination happens when rules, practices, and social norms seem fair but actually make life harder for certain groups of people. When the rules don’t affect us, we probably don’t even notice them—that’s privilege. Whether intentional or unintentional, overt or subtle, discriminatory behaviors undermine equality and dignity.
Like bullying, discrimination causes serious long-term psychological and physical harm. It leads to social isolation, lack of belonging, self-esteem issues, and loss of confidence (StopHateUk.org, n.d.). When people experience discrimination, they have a greater likelihood of developing depression, anxiety, and PTSD (Williams et al, 2019). Experiencing discrimination — and even anticipating it — can lead to chronic stress and an increased risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases (Davis, 2020).
Beyond this, discrimination affects people by limiting their access to opportunities, resources, and services. It violates fundamental human rights by denying marginalized groups the ability to fully participate in society. Discrimination fosters distrust, resentment, and alienation, making it harder to build welcoming, strong, and inclusive communities.
Bullying and discrimination have no place in any world, be it real or imagined. Together, we can build a kinder, more equitable future.
How You Can Fight Discrimination
1. SPEAK UP. If you see something—online, at school, or in public—say something. If it’s safe, speak out! If not, tell a trusted adult or report it. Silence lets racism grow. Speaking up makes our communities kinder and safer places for everyone.
2. CONNECT. Befriend people who are different from you. Listen to their stories, learn about their cultures, and try to understand how racism affects them. Friendships make everyone feel less alone.
3. GET INVOLVED. Join a group, attend a peaceful protest, or volunteer at a non-profit. When we work together, we can create real change.
4. LEARN & SHARE. Learn about how racism shows up in the world and what you can do to stop it. Share what you’ve learned with your family, friends, and classmates. Racism thrives when we ignore it. We all grow when we choose to learn, think, and having real conversations.
For more tips and resources on fighting racism in your community visit the United Nation’s #FightRacism Campaign.
Did You Know?
The following numbers aren’t just stats—they represent the experiences of real kids.%
Of Canadian youths aged 12-17 reported experiencing at least one form of bullying in the past year.
%
Worldwide, nearly one-third of young teens have recently experienced bullying.
Victims of cyberbullying are two times more likely to attempt suicide.
%
Of racialized people over the age of 15 in Canada have experienced descrimination.
RESOURCES
Helful Resources
CANADA-WIDE
BullyingCanada.ca
A national 24/7 lifeline support service for youth affected by bullying. Bullying Canada’s professional staff work with bullied Canadian youth, parents, and local supports to end bullying and help heal. Their website offers information for kids & youth, parents, teachers, bus drivers, and coaches.
Public Health Agency of Canada: Bullying Prevention
The Federal government’s page on recognizing and preventing bullying, and how to access federal prevention programs.
RCMP Youth Resources: Bullying & Cyberbullying
The RCMP offers resources and tools, including lesson plans, handouts, programs, and videos, to help teach youth (grades 4-12) about bullying and cyberbullying.
Mental Health Commission of Canada: Bullying and Suicide Fact Sheet
A downloadable fact sheet exploring the link between bullying, mental health struggles, and suicide risk.
Canada Race Relations Foundation
Works to raise public awareness and strengthen society by supporting community groups and organizations working to end hate and racism.
PROVINCIAL RESOURCES
British Columbia: Here to Help
British Columbia-based mental health resource with practical tools and strategies for youth and adults.
Alberta: Bullying Prevention Resources
Guides, policy info, tips, and support tools for addressing bullying in Alberta schools and communities.
U.S. RESOURCES
StopBullying.gov
The U.S. government’s central hub for bullying prevention, legal rights, how to take action, and resources for parents, educators, and teens.
The Trevor Project
24/7 confidential support for LGBTQ youth. Resources address bullying, identity-based discrimination, and mental health.
INTERNATIONAL & GLOBAL
UNICEF – How to Stop Bullying in Schools
Global insights and proven methods for preventing bullying and violence in educational settings.
United Nations
The United Nations provides resources to combat racism and discrimination in an ongoing effort to help build a world where we can all exercise our human rights.
Anti-Bullying Alliance (UK)
A trusted resource hub with downloadable toolkits and research-backed strategies for creating inclusive school environments.
Stop Hate UK
24/7 hate crime reporting within the UK, training, education, and solutions to challenge hate in society.
Helplines
DISCLAIMER
This page is intended for informational and educational purposes, and the provided links are meant to be supportive. We are not mental health professionals, and this information is not intended to be therapeutic, medical, or legal advice. If you require any of these services, please consult a professional for guidance. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of third-party resources linked on this page.
If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, discrimination, or thoughts of self-harm, please seek help immediately.
In Canada or the U.S.A., you can contact:
Suicide Crisis Helpline (English & French | 24/7)
Call or Text: 9-8-8 | Website: 988.ca or 988lifeline.org
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.