Pink Shirt Day

On February 27, individuals and organizations across the country will come together to celebrate Pink Shirt Day, an annual anti-bullying campaign.

Bullying is a major problem in our schools, workplaces, homes, and online. Pink Shirt Day aims to raise awareness of these issues, as well as raise funds to support programs that foster children’s healthy self-esteem.

This year’s focus is on cyberbullying; using online and mobile technology to harm other people in deliberate, repeated & hostile manner. Cyberbullying can include harassment, impersonation, outing, cyberstalking, and denigration, and can often feel even more overwhelming than traditional bullying, because access to a target is 24/7. Being cyberbullied can lead to depression and anxiety.

In the Waterloo Region, preparations begin months in advance for Pink Shirt Day. Each November, The Waterloo Region Record launches a t-shirt design contest and dozens of community members of all ages submit designs representing what bullying and Pink Shirt Day mean to them. Submissions are not only judged on artistic ability, but also on the overall messaging of the design. The winning design then becomes the community Pink Shirt for the year. This year, Dannica Valant from St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School created the winning design.

Pink Shirt Day highlights the amazing impact that young people can have on our world. Of course, it takes more than one day and one movement to create the kind of social change necessary to stop bullying. Proceeds from each Pink Shirt sold go directly to supporting the WAYVE (Wellness, Acceptance, Youth Voices, Empowerment) program run through the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington. WAYVE is a youth-led team that works to support young people in creating important changes right here in our own community. Our focus is on promoting youth mental health and wellness and that means encouraging people to stand up for one another.

For more information on cyber safety and how to stop cyberbullying, visit www.pinkshirtday.ca.