A Sea of Pink Shirts in Oxford

Wednesday, 22 February 2017 05:44

"Over the years, bullying and its effects have taken an unbelievable turn for the worst."

Today is national Pink Shirt Day and people are encouraged to wear pink to school and work.

The goal is to help stop bullying and to send a message to victims that we care.

Executive Director of the Oxford Elgin Child and Youth Centre Mamta Chail-Teves says she thinks this message is especially important right now in Oxford County in light of the recent youth suicide crisis.

"Unfortunately, a number of children and youth have committed suicide due to bullying which can take form in many different ways. Sadly, bullying and suicide go hand in hand. Bullying can lead to suicide in several different ways. Children often don’t know how to manage bullying especially when it happens on a daily basis and they become overwhelmed and depressed. Suicide may become a factor when a child is under the impression that they are at their limit and feel that leaving this world is the only way that they will be able to escape from the daily torture. Over the years, bullying and its effects has taken an unbelievable turn for the worst."

Chail Teves is hoping to see plenty of people in the County wearing Pink today to send a message and help start these important conversations about bullying and its impact.

"It is important to lend a voice to this issue because we understand that many children and youth suffering mental illness have also been bullied and raise awareness of its impact. By wearing pink we have an opportunity to help stop bullying and send a very strong message to victims of bullying that we care. On Feb 22, 2017 we can start the very important conversations in an effort to increase awareness, support, and resources for children and families in need of mental health care."

Pink shirt day was started after a teenager was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school in Nova Scotia. The next day, the kids at the school showed their support to the bullied teen by distributing pink shirts.