Half of Australians have been bullied at school or work, major study finds

Half of Australians have been bullied at home or school, a new survey suggests. 

A major survey in South Australian found that 46 per cent of people in the state had experienced some form of bullying at either school or work.

The study found that one in six people had bullied as an adult, and therefore were at a higher risk of suffering 'severe' health problems.

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(File picture) 37 per cent of people surveyed admitted to being bullied as a teenager, while 35 per cent said they had experienced it later on in life as an adult

(File picture) 37 per cent of people surveyed admitted to being bullied as a teenager, while 35 per cent said they had experienced it later on in life as an adult

The findings, which have been dubbed as 'very concerning' by experts, show that women are more likely to fall victim to bullying than their male counterparts.

Some 37 per cent of people surveyed admitted to being bullied as a teenager, while 35 per cent said they had experienced it later on in life as an adult.

The study was conducted by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Adelaide University. 

SAHMRI senior research fellow Dr Mike Musker said he had underestimated the severity of the issue and the long-term effects bullying could cause to a person's well-being.

'I have been working professionally with bullying for many years but even I underestimated how big the problem is outside the schoolyard,' Dr Musker told The Advertiser.

'What's clear from the study is that sustained bullying has long term health consequences and that organisations must invest in educating staff on what bullying is and the protocols are to deal with it,' he added.

This study was a population-based survey that investigated 2873 South Australians.

The startling findings were published shortly after it was revealed that the number of children on anti-depressant pills has doubled in six years to 100,000.

The figure has soared from 50,804 in 2011-12 to 101,174 over the last financial year, according to the Department of Human Services.

(File picture) Dr Musker said he underestimated the extent of the problem at long-term effects. There is no suggestion that anyone in this image is involved. There is no suggestion anyone in this image is involved

(File picture) Dr Musker said he underestimated the extent of the problem at long-term effects. There is no suggestion that anyone in this image is involved. There is no suggestion anyone in this image is involved

(File picture) The findings show that women are more likely to fall victim to bullying than their male counterparts

(File picture) The findings show that women are more likely to fall victim to bullying than their male counterparts

This is the first time the number has reached over the 100,000 mark as the supply of antidepressants across all age groups has increased since 2012-13.

The drastic increase in use of the mental health drugs are understood to reflect greater public awareness about depression and anxiety.

Medical professor Ian Hickie of the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre said the increase in the prescription drugs was also influenced by socio-economic factors.

The affluent areas of major cities were more likely to have access to the costly psychological services - while doctors in less affluent areas could potentially prescribe the drugs to bridge the gap between expensive therapy.

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