Feeling psychologically unsafe at school and university: Bullying and youth living with depression in Indonesia

Abstract

The prevalence of bullying in Indonesia was reported to be 41% among students aged fifteen. This study explored the experiences of being bullied at school and university, as well as the psychological trauma associated with bullying among youth with mental disorders in Indonesia. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving in-depth one-on-one interviews conducted via WhatsApp chat with twenty participants aged 18-25 who have mental disorders, from five municipalities in Indonesia: Padang, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Banjarmasin, and Makassar. Data collection took place from January to June 2022, and thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.

The findings can be summarized into five themes: i) looking different: physical appearance, ii) sexual bullying, iii) toxic seniority at school/university, iv) unhealthy competition among students at school/university, and v) being bullied and having mental health problems. The study highlights the urgent need for bullying prevention programs in schools and universities across Indonesia to raise awareness among students and teachers and to create a safer environment for students.