Psychological Impact of School Bullying After a 15‑Year‑Old Student’s Suicide in Hbira (Mahdia Governorate)
The tragic death of a 15‑year‑old pupil in the Hbira delegation (Mahdia governorate) has sparked a wave of reactions on social media and in traditional media. The teenager took his own life after a sustained bullying campaign by a group of classmates.
Investigation and Official Statements
“This incident, which is currently under investigation to determine the circumstances that led the child to end his life, is not the first of its kind. It reflects a pattern of reckless behavior by individuals who act without foreseeing the harmful effects of their actions on the victim,” said Walid Chtobri, spokesperson for the Mahdia First‑Instance Court, in a statement to TAP (Tunis Afrique Presse).
Radhouan Lahyou, a member of the Regional Federation of Secondary Education in Mahdia, added that a first‑year secondary student was subjected to “repetitive harassment” outside the school premises, according to his remarks.
“The victim endured, without responding, mockery and verbal attacks from his peers that deeply affected him and created a state of silent distress linked to a feeling of helplessness,” reported the TAP correspondent in Mahdia.
Expert Insight: Psychological Consequences
Ahmed Labiadh, psychologist and specialist in social behavior, explained to TAP that the impact of bullying varies according to the victim’s psychological balance.
- Victims may be able to confront or even ignore the bully, but this form of violence can erode self‑esteem in vulnerable individuals.
- The harassment is often perceived as psychological violence, leading to withdrawal caused by fear of humiliation and “indelible wounds” that diminish motivation for learning and social life.
Labiadh urged parents to stay vigilant, identify anxiety‑related signs in their children, and provide psychological support to prevent possible complications or suicidal thoughts.
The Need for Intervention with Bullies
The specialist emphasized that psychological support for the bully is essential to break the cycle of violence by addressing the root causes through therapy.
“Bullies feel a need to dominate others because of accumulated failures in other areas—such as academics or creativity. They usually suffer from low self‑esteem, contempt, or devaluation by family members, either directly or indirectly,” he explained.
Legal and Social Repercussions
The incident has ignited public outrage on social networks and prompted action from the International Organization for the Protection of Mediterranean Children (IOPMC). On Wednesday, the IOPMC initiated legal proceedings against the parents of the students responsible for the harassment, holding the school accountable for any failure to take disciplinary measures.
The organization called for:
- An administrative and judicial inquiry to determine responsibilities.
- The public prosecutor and the child‑protection delegation to summon the victim’s classmates (in the presence of a psychologist), teachers, and administrative staff for the investigation.
Read Also
Keywords: school bullying, teenage suicide, Mahdia, Tunisia, psychological impact, anti‑bullying measures, legal action, child protection.
