Pink Shirt Day is on Friday 26 May! It’s a day where New Zealanders are asked to celebrate, Speak Up, Stand Together and Stop Bullying.
Already over 1000 schools, workplaces and community groups have registered for Pink Shirt Day. Well-known New Zealanders are jumping on board too, including Sir Peter Leitch, the Silver Ferns, Toni Street, Valerie Adams, Jeremy Corbett and Mike McRoberts.
From discos and fun runs, to morning teas and award ceremonies, thousands of activities are planned to celebrate diversity and raise awareness of bullying.
Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Shaun Robinson says the high registration numbers this Pink Shirt Day show New Zealanders are saying no to bullying and yes to kindness.
“New Zealand’s diversity should be celebrated. Everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and respected, but bullying is a significant problem in our country.
“It can have serious and ongoing impacts on our mental health and wellbeing. We know that students who are bullied are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety and avoid going to school.
“Young people – particularly minority cultures, higher and lower level academic achievers, those from households in poverty and those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex [LGBTI] – experience high rates of bullying.
“In the workplace, bullying harms workers’ health, wellbeing and ability to do their job.
“We must work together to say no to bullying and to support each other on Pink Shirt Day and every day.”
Any school, workplace or community group can still register for the day. Official t-shirts can be purchased online at Mr Vintage and 25% of each sale goes towards the campaign.
Toolkits and printable posters designed to help everyone get the most out of the day are available to download or order on the website.
Bullying-Free NZ Week also begins today and ends on Pink Shirt Day. An initiative of the Bullying Prevention Advisory Group, this year the theme is NZ students with solutions – working together to end bullying.
