Defence Force takes aim at bullying

Defence Force takes aim at bullying

Pink Shirt Day is less than three weeks away! The Pink Shirt Day team has paired up with the New Zealand Defence Force to give five Kiwi kids the opportunity to be an official Pink Shirt Day Hero. Competition winners will celebrate Pink Shirt Day with the Defence Force – take part in a parade, learn to fight fires and natural disasters like floods, tour the Navy Base in Devonport and the Whenuapai Air Base.

On Friday 22 May 2015, schools, workplaces and communities around New Zealand will wear pink and celebratePink Shirt Day as a sign of their commitment to preventing bullying and embracing diversity. Celebrations are being planned nationwide, from school-wide mufti days to parties in town centres.

Recent studies have shown that nearly half (47%) of young New Zealanders will experience bullying at some point in their lives, and 94% of school staff have seen bullying in their schools. People who have been bullied are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, and often their academic performance decreases.

“No one deserves to be bullied,” Mental Health Foundation chief executive Judi Clements says. “Thousands of young people do reach out and ask for help when they’re being bullied, but there are many others who stay quiet because they’re embarrassed, ashamed or fearful and even think it’s their fault.

“With Pink Shirt Day, New Zealanders have the opportunity to tell people who are being targeted by bullies that they are not invisible – they are important and valued, and we will all work together to find solutions to the problems they are experiencing.”

The message of Pink Shirt Day is: Speak up. Stand together. Stop bullying. This message has been embraced by New Zealanders from all walks of life, and is embodied in the new Pink Shirt Day video, which features 10 year old Finn Williams and his discovery on Pink Shirt Day 2014 that lots of people did care about bullying, and were willing to stand with him and help him get through the tough time he was experiencing.

Pink Shirt Day posters are available for download from the website. Schools and organisations can also order t-shirts, wristbands, pens and stickers to make their PSD celebrations their pinkest ever.

While Pink Shirt Day is only once a year, the website is available year-round for all those affected by bullying – targets, parents, and schools – to access information, advice, and resources.

ENDS

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