Pink Shirt Day: Standing up to bullying together 

Every year on Pink Shirt Day, people in schools, workplaces and communities across the world reach for something pink as a quiet act of courage. That small choice sends a clear message about the kind of communities we want to build: places where people feel safe and respected. 

The first Pink Shirt Day started in Nova Scotia in 2007 when two students organized their classmates to wear pink after a boy was targeted for his clothing. The idea travelled far. Today, Pink Shirt Day is marked in many countries and across Canada. The heart of it remains the same: ordinary people deciding that bullying will not go unchallenged. 

Why Pink Shirt Day still matters 

Bullying can happen face to face. It can happen in group chats, gaming platforms, or on social media. It can be loud and obvious or quiet and isolating. However it shows up, bullying harms mental health. 

Children and youth who are bullied are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, loneliness and thoughts of self-harm. Those who bully others also face higher risks, including mental health and substance use concerns and trouble at school. For young people who already face barriers (like discrimination, poverty, or unsafe environments) the toll can be even heavier. 

Pink Shirt Day gives communities a focal point to talk about these realities. It opens space for real conversations in classrooms, staff rooms, board rooms and around kitchen tables. It also offers a chance to ask harder questions: How do we respond when harm occurs? How do we support the person who was targeted, the person who caused harm and everyone who witnessed it? 

A closer look at Ontario 

Pink Shirt Day is international, yet the impact of bullying shows up in very local ways. In Ontario, many children and youth live with mental health challenges and often support comes late or not at all. When bullying is part of the picture, those challenges can deepen. 

For example: 

• Many children and youth in Ontario experience mental health problems during their school years. 

• Most of them never receive the treatment or support they need. 

• Bullying often appears alongside other stressors, including family strain, learning difficulties, low income and existing mental health concerns. 

• Research in Ontario has linked experiences of bullying with higher levels of distress and greater risk of suicidal thinking among young people. 

How CMHA branches are involved 

What that looks like on the ground can vary a lot from one community to another, which is why this section is a good place for branches to personalize. 

What you can do on Pink Shirt Day 

Here are some options you can share that feel simple and doable: 

• Wear pink and tell someone why the day matters to you. 

• Check in with the young people in your life. Ask how things feel at school, at work and online. Give them space to answer. 

• If you witness bullying, look for a safe way to support the person who is being targeted and follow your school or workplace’s procedures for reporting. 

• Share information about bullying and mental health on social media, in newsletters, or during team meetings. 

• If you are a leader in a school, workplace, or community organization, review your policies around bullying and harassment and ask staff or students how those policies feel in practice. 

Get Involved This Pink Shirt Day:
💗 Wear pink on Pink Shirt Day and start a conversation about kindness and inclusion.
💗 Join CMHA Muskoka–Parry Sound in taking a stand against bullying and supporting positive mental health in our community.
💗 Invite our team to speak at your school, workplace, or community group about mental health, resilience, and creating supportive environments.
💗 Take our kindness challenge — do one supportive act this week that helps someone feel seen, heard, or valued.

Together, we can build a community where everyone feels safe, supported, and included.

Where to turn for support 

If someone is dealing with bullying, they deserve support and safety. Many people stay silent because they feel ashamed, worried about making things worse, or unsure how others will react. One of the most powerful things we can say is: “You don’t have to handle this alone.” 

Here’s where to turn to: 

• Talk to someone they trust, such as a caregiver, teacher, coach, elder, or supervisor. 

• Keep a record of what is happening, especially when bullying occurs online. 

• Ask a trusted adult for help navigating school or workplace policies. 

• Reach out for mental health support when the stress, fear, or sadness feels heavy. 

Need Support or Want to Learn More?
To connect with mental health supports at CMHA Muskoka–Parry Sound, call 1-800-461-5424, visit www.cmhamps.ca, or reach out to our team for information on programs and services available in your community.

If you or someone you know is in crisis:
📞 Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
📱 Text 45645 (evenings, 4 PM–12 AM)
🚨 If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

You’re not alone — help and support are always available.

Pink Shirt Day is one moment in the year. The attitudes that support it can shape every day that follows. When we take bullying seriously and stand with people who are being harmed, we build communities where more people can feel like they belong.