January 15th, 2025; Kochi, India – Mihir Ahammed. Fifteen-year-old Mihir, took his life because of ragging and bullying, and his mother was left with nothing but a pledge of vengeance. In a blink of an eye, Mihir was no longer alive. Barely an hour after school. It is unimaginable what he went through in the months prior to this tragic day. Relentlessly bullied and ragged, he was a victim to unimaginable humiliation where he was taken to the bathroom and made to lick and forced to push his head in the toilet and endured persistent bullying regarding his skin colour.
This heartbreaking story is one of many. As a society, our negligence with respect to bullying and the taboo that surrounds the subject, has led to uncountable tragic instances such as this, and continuing down such a path can only make it worse. Taboos rule most of Indian life, but we cannot let this rule life anymore, not at the cost of young lives such as Mihir.
A UNICEF survey found that at least 36% of Indian adolescents experience bullying and harassment on school grounds. That is slightly higher than the global average, according to UNICEF, where at least one in three students between the ages of 13 and 15 have been bullied.
These concerning figures ought to serve as a warning to all of us. A recent study found that school bullying is one of the main issues affecting Indian children’s mental health. Children face physical assault, internet abuse, marginalisation, humiliation and name calling. Children suffer unimaginable emotional and psychological cost, which can result in depression, anxiety and suicide. Every case of bullying is different, and each case cannot be solved in the same way.
Let’s look at some of the signs to detect and prevent bullying!
Signs of Bullying – Changes in your child
- Illness: Feeling constantly sick or pretending to be sick to skip school regularly.
- Eating: Alterations in eating patterns, such as binge eating or skipping meals.
- Academics: Dropping of grades, becoming disinterested in academic or refusing to attend school.
- Socializing: Differences in social skills, abrupt friend loss or social situation avoidance.
- Self-esteem: Reduced self-esteem or sense of powerlessness.
- Personality: Change in outgoing personality, more subdued and quieter, reduction in contribution to conversations.
- Self-destructive actions: Actions such as self-harm, speaking of suicide, running away from home or excessive talk of death.
- Loss of items: Increase in loss of items such as electronics, jewellery, clothing and books.
- Unexplained injuries: Having unexplained bruises or cuts, wearing more concealed clothing in order to hide injuries.
Signs your child is the bully:
While this may be hard to admit, your child may also be the bully in certain situations. In this occasion, your child may be ashamed to admit themselves that they are in that situation, hence it is paramount to be alert of these signs:
- Altercations: Increased engagement in verbal or physical altercations.
- Punishment: Frequently sent to detention or the principal’s office, or being told by the teacher that your child has been acting out more.
- Blame: Putting blame on other people for their own problems and actions.
- Wrong company: Increasingly fraternizing with ‘friends’ that are aggressive and have a history of bullying others.
- New items: Mysteriously having new possessions or extra money.
- Accountability: Refusing to take responsibility or accountability for their actions or refusing to apologize for mistakes made.
- Popularity: Increasing concern regarding their popularity or reputation.
Do not be afraid to talk to your kids!
If you see signs that your child is being bullied or is bullying someone, do these immediately:
- Don’t wait for an issue to come up; start talking early and regularly. Frequent check-ins make discussing emotions and relationships easier.
- Praise good social behaviour. Give your child praise when they are kind, understanding, or defends others. This encourages them to maintain those ideals and reinforces them.
- Ask open-ended questions, such as “What happened?” or “How did that make you feel?” rather than making snap judgements if your child is engaged in a dispute. This promotes integrity and honesty.
- Clearly define your expectations. Discuss what constitutes respectful conduct in the family, at school, and online. Explain the negative effects of bullying and let them know that it is taken severely, and how harmful it can be.
The tragic loss of Mihir Ahammed serves as a painful reminder of the lasting impact bullying can have on a young life. His story is not just one of sorrow, but also call to action for parents, educators, and peers to create a culture where kindness, empathy and open communication are the norm. By remembering Mihir, we are reminded that it is urgent to listen, support, and stand up for one another, ensuring that no child feels alone or unheard. Let his memory inspire change and compassion in every corner of our society!
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Authored by Tara Chanda, Content Writer Intern