24/08/2026
When Bullying Hurts More Than We See
At Model Secondary School Abuja , young students were sensitized on the dangers of bullying and drug abuse by LAN Healthcare Initiative , an important conversation because what may look like “just teasing” can have a lasting impact on a child.
Bullying is not simply a schoolyard problem. For some children, repeated insults, humiliation, threats, physical attacks or social exclusion can affect their psychological, physical and emotional well-being.
A child who is constantly bullied may begin to lose confidence, withdraw from friends, struggle to concentrate in class and eventually lose interest in school. In severe cases, the emotional distress can affect academic performance so badly that a student who was once doing well may start failing exams.
And sometimes, the damage goes beyond the classroom.
A child who feels rejected or constantly targeted may isolate themselves, believing that nobody understands or accepts them. This can make it difficult to build healthy relationships and participate normally in school life.
This is why bullying should never be dismissed as “children being children.” Adults, teachers, parents and students all have a role to play in creating schools where young people feel safe, respected and supported.
The same applies to drug abuse. Young people need accurate information, early guidance and supportive environments that help them understand the consequences of substance use and make healthier choices.
Sensitization programmes such as this are therefore more than awareness campaigns. They are opportunities to remind children that their mental health matters, their dignity matters and their future matters.
Let’s create schools where children go to learn, grow and make friends — not places where they are afraid of being bullied, excluded or pressured into harmful behaviours.
