Pink Day brings bullying conversation to the forefront

Students across the province were encouraged to wear pink Wednesday to bring awareness to bullying within schools.

The Red Cross’ annual Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 when a group of students wore pink shirts after another student was bullied relentlessly for doing just that.

Over ten years later, the movement has grown to include schools across the country, including Saskatchewan.

Thom Collegiate in Regina held a special Pink Day assembly for students with presentations by Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive lineman Dan Clark and former player Scott McHenry.

Madison Holtkamp is a Grade 12 student and a member of the anti-bullying group at Thom.

“Bullying happens with every student. I’ve experienced bullying myself, and it’s a problem going on that just needs to stop,” she said.

One of the ways the group has encouraged open dialogue about the problem is through an anonymous tree program, which allows students to post notes about issues.

“A lot of students don’t want to be a face, they don’t want to show that they’re the ones being bullied, they would rather just have it behind closed doors.”

Julia Hamm is also a Grade 12 student at the school and said there’s been an improvement when it comes to bullying at the school. She believes it’s important people continue to talk about the issue.

“Bullying is kind of a weird subject, so if we do have a group of students that are willing to talk about it, that encourages other students to talk about it as well,” Hamm said.

Both students agree if kids are being cyber-bullied, it’s important they talk to someone whether its parents, friends, counsellors or the police.