Junction: Peer Support and Advocacy will be among the local groups celebrating Pink Shirt Day on Friday May 26.
The day is about standing up to bullying in all its forms, and began after a Canadian student was bullied at school for wearing a pink shirt.
This is the first year Junction has participated in Pink Shirt Day, and they will have a stall outside Greerton Library on Friday May 26 from 11am to 2pm, with a giant pink T-Shirt to write anti-bullying messages, balloons, stickers, give-aways and other information, to mark the occasion.
Team Leader Vaughan Cruickshank saysJunction is committed to celebrating diversity and addressing bullying every day.
'As a local NGO working in community alongside those experiencing mental illness and/or addictions, we know the impact bullying can have on one's life, no matter your age or background,” he says.
'Pink Shirt Day provides us with a platform to raise awareness and understanding of this serious issue and take action to address it, all while having a lot of fun.”
According to Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson, bullying is a significant problem in New Zealand and can have serious and ongoing impacts on 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. In the workplace, bullying harms workers' health, wellbeing and ability to do their job,” says Shaun.
'While all young people can be the target of bullying, some groups experience higher rates such as those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI).
'It is a serious problem, but by speaking up, standing together and saying no to bullying, we can bring about change.”
For more information visit: www.pinkshirtday.org.nz
7 comments
This is terrible
Posted on 17-05-2017 17:27 | By old trucker
Its terrible to be BULLIED all through my childhood and into my later yrs on jobs,it was awfull, one Foreman picked on me for a year over a piece of paper underneath a rubber mat,he was a Big BULLY, i reported it to the Manager,who just laughed it off, in the end i was rushed to Tga hospital with a heart attack,NO ONE CARED about me at all, it was a lonely time and considered the unthinkable,but never went through with it, the (Foreman has scince died and his son who was also a BULLY is with him. this will never stop,brings back memories,im happy now ,thanks to my awesome lady who has given me the best love one could ever want,today i dont care about this stuff,and taken a long time to get over,my thoughts only,Sunlive thanks for bringing this to attention of readers,No1, THANKYOU, 10-4.
@Oldtrucker
Posted on 17-05-2017 19:21 | By Papamoaner
Sad story mate. All credit to you for handling it well in the end. It's even worse for young kids at school - can leave lifelong scars.
People need to harden up....
Posted on 18-05-2017 14:54 | By GreertonBoy
I went to Greerton Primary, then the intermediate and then TBC and I cant remember a day I wasn't bullied or tormented.... being the fat kid made me a prime target. Bullying is human nature, kids are cruel, especially the kids that 'fit in' .... those of us that didn't fit in, well, we copped heaps. That is the way it worked back then, it must be far worse now. But trying to eradicate bullying is pretty well impossible... Physical bullying can be stopped, but psychological bullying cant... Speaking from experience, the best retaliation against bullies (other than physical bullies and violence) is to not react to it and carry on regardless. Bullies will move on to the next victim if they don't get a reaction out of you. Bullies have always existed and always will. No law will stop them. Stop being a victim
Old Trucker....
Posted on 19-05-2017 22:31 | By GreertonBoy
My last post was in no way aimed at you mate... I just re read it and thought you might have mistakenly thought I was having a go at you... not the case 10-4 :)
@Greertonboy
Posted on 21-05-2017 08:03 | By Papamoaner
Agree, but also, sometimes a strike-back works for some bullies.
Striking back Papamoaner....
Posted on 22-05-2017 17:56 | By GreertonBoy
Makes the victim sink to the level of the bully. I must admit I fell off the wagon and reacted a couple of times..... but I would rather drive bullies nuts by not reacting than stoop to their level.
@greetonboy
Posted on 23-05-2017 08:28 | By Papamoaner
Empathise with your view, but nature has it's way of dealing with bullying. EG;- Working dogs quickly sort out bullying within the group, resulting in mutual respect. There is always a leader of course, but he's kept happy by us always feeding him first while the others look on. They are masters of body language - much better at it than us mere humans. At school, I reckon an experienced teacher is probably in the best position to sort it by applying some clever psychology.
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