ABSTRACT
It is a common impression among practitioners that young people present in increasing numbers with incidents of bullying within the peer group being seen as a major precipitating factor in the development of mood disorders. Bullying includes physical aggression or threats. It may involve social exclusion, name calling, telling lies or gossip about the young person or teasing, humiliation and scapegoating. Definitions of bullying within the research literature vary but in general the key factors are considered to include persistence over time and intended victimisation of specific individuals.
