Cyberbullying and mental health: when to get help
How cyberbullying can affect a child's mental health, the warning signs that need urgent attention, and where to get help in the Philippines.
- Cyberbullying is linked to anxiety, depression, poor sleep and, in serious cases, self-harm.
- Talk of hopelessness, self-harm or not wanting to live always needs immediate attention.
- In the Philippines, call the NCMH crisis hotline 1553, or 911 in an emergency.
Cyberbullying can affect a child's mental health deeply, sometimes long after the bullying stops. Knowing what to watch for, and when to get professional help, can make a real difference.
How it can affect children
- Anxiety, especially about school or their phone
- Low mood, sadness, hopelessness
- Low self-esteem
- Trouble sleeping
- Withdrawing from friends and activities
- Physical complaints: headaches, stomachaches
- Falling grades
- In serious cases, self-harm or thoughts of suicide
Warning signs that need urgent attention
Get help immediately if your child:
- Talks about wanting to die, not wanting to be here, or being a burden
- Talks about or shows signs of self-harm, such as cuts or burns they hide
- Searches online for ways to hurt themselves
- Gives away belongings or says goodbye in unusual ways
- Seems suddenly calm after a period of deep distress
- Shows extreme hopelessness
If you're worried, ask directly: "Are you thinking about hurting yourself, or about suicide?" Asking does not put the idea in their head. It opens the door to help.
Where to get help
| Help | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency | 911 |
| National Center for Mental Health crisis hotline | 1553 (24/7) |
| Bantay Bata | 163 |
| Your child's school | Guidance counsellor |
| Your paediatrician or family doctor | For assessment and referral to a child psychologist or psychiatrist |
Other crisis lines, such as Hopeline PH, also operate. Numbers change from time to time; check the organisation's official page if one doesn't connect.
Supporting your child at home
- Stay close. Spend time together, even without talking about the bullying.
- Listen without fixing. Sometimes children need to be heard more than advised.
- Keep routines. Regular meals, sleep and activities help.
- Limit the source. Help your child mute, block and step away from the apps where bullying happens, without taking away all their connections.
- Remind them it will pass. Children often feel it will never end.
- Take care of yourself. Supporting a struggling child is exhausting. Talk to someone you trust.
Getting professional help
A child psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor can help your child process what happened and build coping skills. Ask your doctor, the school guidance office, or your HMO for referrals. Many hospitals have child and adolescent mental health services.
There's no shame in getting help. Treating mental health early, like treating any health problem early, leads to better outcomes.
If the bullying is ongoing
Getting help for your child's mental health doesn't replace stopping the bullying. Keep working with the school and platforms. See your child is being cyberbullied: what to do.
eGuard sets up screen time, bedtime and app rules on your child's phone and checks that each one is really on. Free for one child.