Wetaskiwin and other Central Alberta communities will be awash in a sea of pink Feb. 26 as the community stands together in the face of bullying.
Founded by high school students in 2007 in response to a new student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt, each February, Pink Shirt Day draws local and national attention to bullying and its ramifications, and how we as a community can help prevent it.
Consider, for example, that:
- 50% of youth have been bullied at school.
- 20% of youth have been bullied while playing sports
However it's not only youth who are affected. In addition:
- 45% of adults have been bullied at work
- 20% of seniors have been bullied in community space
What is bullying?
While many of us may have experienced or witnessed bullying in the past, an evolving society and advancing technology means bullying is now found online and on social media, as well as on the playground and in the boardroom.
So what do we mean by bullying? The Alberta government notes that "bullying is any repeated, hostile or demeaning behaviour intended to cause harm, fear or distress, including physical or psychological harm." It's characterized by:
- Intent: the actions happen on purpose.
- Harm: the recipient is hurt by the action.
- Repetition: a person is repeatedly targeted.
In addition, bullying can be:
- Verbal: name calling, put-downs or threats.
- Social/Relational: exclusion, gossiping, ganging-up.
- Physical: hitting, pushing, slapping.
However people don’t always speak up when they’re being bullied – they might be embarrassed, uncertain how to proceed or afraid of the consequences of coming forward, so their behaviour may be a clue to bullying even before they are willing to talk about it.
Warning signs can include more absences from school, work or community events, or becoming disengaged in school, work or hobbies. Someone being bullied may become withdrawn, agitated and irritable, or display mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Some children and youth may “lose” belongings, come home with belongings destroyed or have unexplained cuts or bruises.
Come together to find solutions
As those high school students demonstrated back in 2007, we can come together as a community to effect change. Working together, we can promote healthy relationships by demonstrating trust, empathy, honesty and respect.
Whether at school or work, follow the proper procedures to monitor and address the issue. Take steps to ensure the safety of those experiencing bullying, making sure they feel secure and that the situation does not escalate to violence. It's also important to continue supporting the individual so they don't feel isolated.
Promote healthy relationships and give people tools to resolve conflict, regulate their emotions and manage stress, and practice effective responses to ensure people know how to respond if they experience or witness bullying.
Finally, communication is essential – work to create an open and supportive environment where people feel comfortable to discuss issues.
Need help? The Bullying Helpline is available by calling 310-1818 or texting* 310-1818, or chat online for support, information or referrals. You can also learn more at alberta.ca/bullying-prevention-resources
*Standard text message rates may apply.