Bullying: A Silent Loud Mental Health Epidemic At Crisis Point In Guyana

Sep 21, 2025 Features / Columnists, News

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By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc.
Clinical and Developmental Psychologist – Psychoanalyst
Unwrapping Gift -Clinic

Kaieteur News – Should parents invest in their child’s physical defense against bullying in schools? Given the profound and lasting repercussions of bullying, unless legal recourse against the school is feasible to a successful lawsuit to the tune of 100 million or—potentially for substantial sums due to the school’s creation and maintenance of an unsafe and toxic environment—the answer is in the affirmative.

I, Doctor Telford Layne – a developmental and clinical psychologist, hereby assert that bullying is an epidemic and public health crisis in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Statistics show a high and ongoing prevalence of bullying in various forms, with significant negative impacts on mental health and well-being for both victims and bullies. Bullying is a severe form of traumatic experience similar to sexual abuse. Homes, schools and the Ministry of Education are no longer in control. Even though the Ministry of Education says they have a Zero tolerance on bullying, they do not have a structure, response or programme to address bullying.

The profiles of bullies typically reflect a range of backgrounds, vary, but they may come from homes with poor discipline, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual abuse and neglect, sexual abuse especially boys, growing up in a community or experiencing community violence, poverty, political victimized groups, a lack of acceptance, attention, affirmation, approval and affection from their parents, their own history of being bullied. These individuals include falling to societal pressures to be popular, jealousy, low self-esteem, anger, and a desire to gain social status or control over others. Dysfunctional homes, absent parents, witness or grown-up domestic violence or inter-partner violence in the home

Bullies may be struggling with more severe psychological imbalances, antisocial personality disorder (The only personality disorder that shows up as early as age 4 rather than developing by late adolescence), sociopathic and psychopathic tendencies, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, drug-induced psychotic behaviour, and mental illness. Having parents with personality disorders or mental illness. Self-hate, Anger and Frustration, bullies might bully out of anger, frustration, or a desire to assert dominance. Jealousy and Inadequacy: feelings of jealousy or inadequacy can motivate a bully to pick on others. Peer Pressure, some children may bully because their friends do, indicating the influence of group dynamics. Especially for boys with absent fathers. Challenging parent and child issues with attachment.

I have observed firsthand the deleterious consequences of bullying, which extend from immediate to long-term impacts. As part of my treatment plan and strategy for 36 victims of bullying, I engage with the child’s class teacher to comprehend classroom dynamics, thereby fostering a secure and supportive environment for affected individuals. It is crucial to note that the emergence of bullying behaviours does not occur overnight, nor can such behaviours be extinguished abruptly.

For instance, a twelve-year-old client was subjected to harrowing comments each week as he leaves school for the weekend, such as, “Do not forget to kill yourself; your parents can never love someone like you.” Likewise, a seventeen-year-old student, having withdrawn from formal education as a result of bullying, now engages in homeschooling while grappling with suicidal ideation. She has reported derogatory remarks regarding her appearance, including comparisons to vampires and insinuations about her complexion. These experiences have engendered profound self-hatred.

Additionally, a nine-year-old victim has endured bullying for two years, leading to significant anxiety when faced with school attendance. This anxiety has escalated to panic attacks, resulting in self-starvation as a means of coping. Now a bully blown eating disorder

The Public Health Crisis of Bullying in Guyana

Pervasiveness and National Scope: Bullying constitutes a significant national concern, impacting children and adolescents across the United States, with enduring repercussions on their health extending into adulthood.

Broad Spectrum of Consequences: The adverse effects of bullying extend beyond the victims, inflicting harm on both perpetrators and bystanders. This phenomenon results in physical, mental, social, and emotional challenges for all parties involved.

Serious Health Outcomes: In Guyana, the ramifications of bullying are linked to severe health issues, including heightened risks of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and substance use among children as young as five, with effects persisting into adulthood.

Physical Manifestations: In addition to psychological damage, bullying may manifest physically, leading to symptoms such as disrupted sleep, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems, as evidenced in clients aged 5 to 17 years.

Impact on Development: Bullying adversely influences cognitive function, disrupts the brain’s stress response mechanisms, and negatively affects self-regulation—all of which are vital for age-appropriate development in children.

Key Indicators of Bullying Epidemic In Guyana

High Prevalence: Statistics show a substantial portion of students experience bullying. For example, the prime age of bullying of students is 12-18. While only 3% of bullying cases are reported, in which both the victim of bullying and the bully are punished or the matter is inadequately dealt with. The victims gain a new bully or continue to be bullied, and they get a “free pass” warning with a few days’ suspension or are transferred to a new school.

Cyberbullying is Common: Cyberbullying is a growing component, with a significant percentage of middle school students reporting weekly incidents.

Global Problem: Bullying is not limited to Guyana; UNESCO estimates that one-third of the world’s youth experience bullying.

School Violence Link: A significant portion of school fights in Guyana are incidents that have been linked to bullying and harassment.

Mental Health Impacts: Bullying is a major contributor to a mental health crisis among school-age children, leading to depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem, and other long-term effects on both victims and those who bully.

Lack of Intervention: A high percentage of bullying incidents go unreported or unaddressed, above 91%, highlighting a significant systemic gap.

Response: There is no treatment plan to alter the behaviour by addressing the family dynamics of the bully and his family, or the origin or meaningful protection of the victim.

To be continued…

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• bullying, Dr. Telford Layne Jr., Mental Health Epidemic, Psychologist

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