Bullying

Repeated, intentional harm — in person or online — that NL schools and counsellors are equipped to respond to.

What it is

Bullying is repeated, intentional behaviour meant to hurt, intimidate, or exclude someone, where there's a real or perceived power imbalance between the people involved. It can be physical, verbal, social (exclusion, rumours), or online, and it affects adults in workplaces as well as kids in schools.

Common signs

Reluctance to go to school or a particular place
Unexplained injuries, missing belongings, or damaged property
Sudden changes in friend groups, mood, or sleep
Avoiding phones or social media when it used to be a normal part of their day
Talking about themselves in degrading or hopeless terms

Good to know

Kids experiencing bullying often don't tell an adult, frequently out of fear it will make things worse or shame about what's happening — noticing the signs matters as much as waiting to be told.

What helps

Schools in NL have bullying prevention and response policies, and a guidance counsellor can act as a direct point of contact; documenting incidents (dates, what happened, who was involved) helps schools respond effectively. For the person targeted, validating that it's not their fault and helping them stay connected to supportive people both reduce the lasting impact.

When to seek help

Involve the school directly and promptly — don't wait for it to resolve on its own. Kids Help Phone is available for the young person to talk to directly and confidentially, any time.

Before you call

What to expect at your first counselling sessionNervous about a first session? It's mostly just talking, at your pace. Here's what usually happens — and what won't.

Services that can help

See all related services in NL