Bullying victimization nearly doubles the risk of a suicide attempt. The U.S. suicide rate rose to 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people. This article examines the statistical links between bullying, underreporting, and suicide outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- In the U.S., 17.0% of high school students reported sadness or hopelessness almost every day for 2 weeks or more in the 12 months before the survey (YRBS)
- In the U.S., suicide rates increased from 10.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2000 to 14.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2021 (CDC)
- In 2022, the WHO estimated that 703,000 people died by suicide globally (WHO)
- Bullying victimization increased the risk of suicide attempts with a pooled odds ratio reported as 2.08 (95% CI 1.58–2.74) in a meta-analysis
- Cyberbullying was associated with suicide attempts with a pooled odds ratio of 1.89 (95% CI 1.19–3.01) in a systematic review and meta-analysis
- A pooled relative risk of 2.07 (95% CI 1.70–2.52) was reported for suicide attempts among bullying victims in a systematic review
- In a 2020 study, 31% of victims reported experiencing repeat bullying after a first complaint
- In a 2020 meta-analysis, reporting and response delays were associated with increased likelihood of repeated bullying, with a pooled risk ratio of 1.46 (95% CI 1.20–1.78)
- In a 2019 national survey in the U.S., 45% of students who experienced bullying reported they did not tell an adult at school
- A 2023 systematic review reported that school connectedness interventions reduced bullying involvement with a median effect size (g) of 0.31
- A 2020 meta-analysis found that whole-school anti-bullying programs reduced bullying perpetration with a pooled effect (Hedges’ g) of 0.25
- KiVa evaluation reported that victimization decreased by 22% in intervention schools compared with control schools
- In 2021, 72% of teachers reported being somewhat or very familiar with their school’s anti-bullying policy in the U.S.
- The U.S. Department of Education reports that 45% of public schools have a policy addressing bullying and harassment (School Survey on Crime and Safety)
- In a 2023 survey of school administrators, 63% reported using or considering social-emotional learning programs as part of bullying prevention
Bullying and cyberbullying are linked to suicide attempts, with victims often up to twice as likely to attempt.
Related reading
01 · Category
Suicide Context & Burden5 stats
01
In the U.S., 17.0% of high school students reported sadness or hopelessness almost every day for 2 weeks or more in the 12 months before the survey (YRBS)
02
In the U.S., suicide rates increased from 10.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2000 to 14.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2021 (CDC)
03
In 2022, the WHO estimated that 703,000 people died by suicide globally (WHO)
04
In 2019, the global age-standardized suicide rate was 9.0 per 100,000 people (WHO)
05
In 2020, suicide accounted for an estimated 1.48% of global deaths (WHO/Global Health Estimates)
Interpretation
Suicide Context & Burden Interpretation
Suicide is a growing and persistent burden, with US suicide rates rising from 10.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2000 to 14.3 in 2021 and the WHO estimating 703,000 deaths by suicide globally in 2022, underscoring the urgent weight of mental health distress in the suicide context.
02 · Category
Risk & Outcomes4 stats
01
Bullying victimization increased the risk of suicide attempts with a pooled odds ratio reported as 2.08 (95% CI 1.58–2.74) in a meta-analysis
02
Cyberbullying was associated with suicide attempts with a pooled odds ratio of 1.89 (95% CI 1.19–3.01) in a systematic review and meta-analysis
03
A pooled relative risk of 2.07 (95% CI 1.70–2.52) was reported for suicide attempts among bullying victims in a systematic review
04
In a U.S. study, adolescents who reported being bullied were 2.1 times as likely to report a suicide attempt
Interpretation
Risk & Outcomes Interpretation
Across studies, bullying-related victimization nearly doubles to about doubles the risk of suicide attempts, with pooled effects around 2.07 to 2.08 and even stronger signals for cyberbullying and U.S. adolescents, underscoring bullying as a clear risk factor and serious adverse outcome driver.
03 · Category
Barriers & Reporting9 stats
01
In a 2020 study, 31% of victims reported experiencing repeat bullying after a first complaint
02
In a 2020 meta-analysis, reporting and response delays were associated with increased likelihood of repeated bullying, with a pooled risk ratio of 1.46 (95% CI 1.20–1.78)
03
In a 2019 national survey in the U.S., 45% of students who experienced bullying reported they did not tell an adult at school
04
In a 2020 study, 38% of cyberbullying victims reported they did not report incidents to platform staff
05
In a 2018 survey, 33% of students said they did not report bullying because they were afraid of retaliation
06
In a 2021 survey, 24% of LGBTQ+ students reported higher rates of bullying and reported not feeling safe enough to report
07
In a 2022 report, 42% of teachers said they were not confident they can handle bullying cases appropriately
08
In a 2017 research synthesis, 14% of bullying incidents were reported to school staff (vs. remaining unreported)
09
In a 2022 study, 29% of students reported that bullying policies were unclear
Interpretation
Barriers & Reporting Interpretation
Across these studies, big reporting gaps persist, with 45% of bullied U.S. students not telling an adult at school and 38% of cyberbullying victims not reporting to platform staff, while delayed or ineffective responses are linked to repeat bullying such as 31% reporting repeats after a first complaint.
More related reading
04 · Category
Intervention Evidence10 stats
01
A 2023 systematic review reported that school connectedness interventions reduced bullying involvement with a median effect size (g) of 0.31
02
A 2020 meta-analysis found that whole-school anti-bullying programs reduced bullying perpetration with a pooled effect (Hedges’ g) of 0.25
03
KiVa evaluation reported that victimization decreased by 22% in intervention schools compared with control schools
04
In a U.S. evidence review, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) frameworks are reported to reduce bullying when implemented with targeted behavioral supports (effect summarized as positive across included studies)
05
A 2018 meta-analysis reported that peer-involvement interventions reduced bullying with an average standardized mean difference of 0.32
06
A 2021 trial of an emotion regulation program reported a 35% reduction in self-reported bullying victimization
07
A 2017 systematic review found that school-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs reduced bullying perpetration with an average effect (SMD) of -0.25
08
A 2019 meta-analysis reported that anti-bullying programs reduced suicidal ideation among victims with a small-to-moderate effect (Hedges’ g around 0.20) in included trials
09
A 2020 UNICEF report estimates that 1 in 3 adolescents aged 13–15 experience bullying at school worldwide
10
A 2022 study on cyberbullying interventions reported a 27% reduction in cyberbullying behaviors in intervention groups
Interpretation
Intervention Evidence Interpretation
Across intervention evidence, well designed school programs show measurable impact, with effects on bullying involvement ranging from about a 0.25 to 0.32 standardized reduction and programs like KiVa cutting victimization by 22% compared with control schools.
05 · Category
Implementation & Policy6 stats
01
In 2021, 72% of teachers reported being somewhat or very familiar with their school’s anti-bullying policy in the U.S.
02
The U.S. Department of Education reports that 45% of public schools have a policy addressing bullying and harassment (School Survey on Crime and Safety)
03
In a 2023 survey of school administrators, 63% reported using or considering social-emotional learning programs as part of bullying prevention
04
In 2021, 74% of states reported having statewide bullying prevention requirements for schools
05
In a 2019 briefing, 80% of Australian schools reported having an anti-bullying program in place (AIFS / education survey findings)
06
In a 2022 systematic review, 55% of included anti-bullying interventions included bystander or peer components
Interpretation
Implementation & Policy Interpretation
Overall, while many systems are strengthening implementation and policy, the data suggest uneven coverage such as 74% of states having statewide bullying prevention requirements in 2021 and only 45% of public schools having a bullying and harassment policy, with programs increasingly supported by approaches like 63% of administrators incorporating social emotional learning in 2023.
report visual · Breakdown
Bullying and suicide risk: what the research shows
Studies link bullying (including cyberbullying) to increased risk of suicide attempts, with pooled estimates around 2× higher risk.
45%
In a 2019 national survey in the U.S., 45% of students who experienced bullying reported they did not tell an adult at s
55%
In a 2022 systematic review, 55% of included anti-bullying interventions included bystander or peer components
source-verifiednces.ed.gov · psycnet.apa.org2022
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). Bullying Suicide Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bullying-suicide-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "Bullying Suicide Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/bullying-suicide-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "Bullying Suicide Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bullying-suicide-statistics.
Sources & references
34 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+13 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)