Get ready for Pink Shirt Day

Global anti-bullying campaign Pink Shirt Day hits New Zealand’s shores again in a week (Friday, May 18), and already a…
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Found in: News / News
Date: 4 September 2018
Get ready for Pink Shirt Day!

1 May, 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

Global anti-bullying initiative Pink Shirt Day helps create safer schools, workplaces and communities.

On Friday, 26 May we're asking you to celebrate Pink Shirt Day and to Speak Up, Stand Together and Stop Bullying.

You can show your support by wearing pink and organising activities in your school, workplace or community to celebrate diversity, promote positive relationships and raise awareness and understanding of bullying.

Last year more than 300 schools, workplaces, community groups and well known New Zealanders participated in the campaign, making it the largest since 2009 when Pink Shirt Day was first launched in New Zealand. With one month to go before the day, more than 600 organisations and groups have registered already, making it a record year.

Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson says while everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and respected, bullying is a significant problem in New Zealand.

"Bullying 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," he says.

"Young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex experience high rates of bullying, particularly at school. 

"In the workplace, bullying harms workers’ health, wellbeing and ability to do their job. As New Zealanders, we all have the responsibility to stand together to ensure everyone feels safe and valued. 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 register for Pink Shirt Day 2017. Toolkits and free event packs designed to help schools and workplaces get the most out of the day were available to download or order on the swag page.

About Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day supports schools, workplaces and communities to be safe, welcoming and inclusive for young people, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or cultural background.

Pink Shirt Day originated in a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada in 2007. Two students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, took a stand against homophobic bullying and mobilised their whole school after a student was harassed and threatened for wearing pink.

Since 2012, Pink Shirt Day has been led by the Mental Health Foundation, with support from The Peace Foundation, RainbowYOUTH, InsideOUT, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association, Youthline and Family Works.

Schools are also encouraged to participate in Bullying-free NZ Week, which runs 22–26 May, in the lead up to Pink Shirt Day. An initiative of the Bullying Prevention Advisory Group, this year’s theme is: NZ students with solutions: Working together to end bullying. 

Pink Shirt Day 2017 Video

Watch our Pink Shirt Day video to hear from just a few of the many champions who were involved last year, and see what they did and why. 

For media inquiries, local contacts, story angles and photos, please contact:  

Rachael ClarkeSenior Communications and Marketing Officer020 4138 637109 623 4810 x 806rachael.clarke@mentalhealth.org.nz