Pink shirts hit back at bullying
Pink attire was the school uniform at Golden Sands School on Friday.
The school was one of 1000 across NZ to support the global anti bullying campaign Pink Shirt Day.
“Our student councillors organised the Pink Shirt Day campaign (through the Mental Health Foundation) . . . by having several meetings to plan what the day would entail,” says deputy principal Miriam Collins.
“Within the learning communities, teachers and students spoke in depth about bullying, how it affects others, but mostly about how we can speak up, stand together and stop bullying through supporting each other and showing strength in numbers.”
As well as schools around 850 workplaces in New Zealand also supported the initiative.
Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two teenagers took a stand against homophobic bullying, mobilising their whole school, after a fellow student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
In New Zealand, the Mental Health Foundation was supported by Vodafone Warriors, New Zealand Army and Police, Suzy Cato and Gemma Flynn.
“It’s inspiring to see more than double the number of schools, workplaces and communities taking a stand to create environments where all New Zealanders, especially our youth, can thrive,” said Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson says.
New Zealand rated secondhighest for school bullying out of 51 countries, and as many as one in five Kiwis are affected by bullying in the workplace.
“Bullying can have serious and ongoing impacts on our mental health and wellbeing. We know that people who are bullied are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and avoid going to school.
“Bullying can also negatively impact performance and productivity in workplaces,” says Mr Robinson.