Depression Killers

When Missouri teen Megan Meier committed suicide after receiving taunting messages on MySpace from an adult woman masquerading as a boy who liked her, it brought home the fact that Internet roleplaying isn’t all fun and fantasy. The games people play can have real consequences, especially for those with depression and mental illness. Just like in the real world, bullies can use harsh words and intimidation tactics to push their victims around — and sometimes, as in Megan’s case, with fatal consequences.

To learn more about this new form of bullying, often called cyberbullying, I consulted bullying expert Phyllis Kaufman Goldstein for answers.

Read the Interview

depression.about.com