Pink Shirt Day: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, AND words can still hurt me.”

February 23, 2026

Wednesday February 25, 2026 is Canada’s annual Pink Shirt Day. The purpose of Pink Shirt Day is to raise awareness about the emotional and psychological harm caused by bullying, to validate those who have been affected by bullying, and to encourage empathy, prevention, and healing.

Why Bullying Is a Mental Health Issue

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, bullying is defined as: “the abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone vulnerable by someone stronger or more powerful.” Bullying can take on numerous forms that include social bullying through exclusion or spreading rumors about someone, verbal bullying through teasing or threatening someone, physical bullying that can involve pushing, damaging belongings, or any form of physical harm, and cyberbullying which involves online harassment.

Myth #1: Bullying is a “Normal” Part of Growing Up

Bullying should NOT be viewed as a “normal” experience that all people go through. Though bullying may be a common experience, it should not be normalized, which leads people to treat bullying as inevitable, unpreventable, “not a big deal.” Bullying can be extremely harmful, and we should always be working towards reducing the prevalence of bullying.

Myth #2: Only Weak People are Bullied 

Bullying can happen to anyone, at any age, in any place. Bullying can occur at school, at home, in the workplace, or in other social spaces. Experiencing bullying does not make you weak or less than, it means that another person is being mean. 

The Mental Health Impacts of Bullying

Bullying can lead to many poor mental health outcomes, such as:

• Anxiety, depression, and chronic stress
• Low self-esteem and negative self-image
• Feelings of shame, isolation, or worthlessness
• Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships
• Long term effects such as trauma responses or PTSD-like symptoms

Signs You, or Someone You Know May Be Experiencing Bullying:

• Changes in mood, sleep, or appetite
• Withdrawal from social activities or loved ones
• Decline in school or work performance
• Increased irritability, fear, or emotional numbness
• Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches

What Helps When Experiencing Bullying

When experiencing bullying it is important to talk to someone safe and supportive. This might be a teacher, a parent, a friend, a sibling, a coworker, couch, or someone else that you trust. Getting professional support from a therapist can be a safe place to process trauma, have your experiences validated, and come up with strategies to deal with difficult people or safety concerns. Therapy can also help to rebuild self-worth and self-confidence, even if the experience of bullying was years in the past.

Other coping strategies to help with the difficult experience of bullying include:

• Journaling
• Grounding exercises such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness
• Exploring a creative outlet such as painting, pottery, dance, drawing, music, or making collages
• Setting boundaries and seeking safe environments

How to Support Someone Experiencing Bullying

• Listen without minimizing their experiences or rushing to solutions
• Validate their experiencing and feelings
• Encourage professional or trusted support when needed
• Stand up against bullying when it is safe to do so
• Promote kindness and inclusion in everyday spaces

How Can We Help to Break the Cycle

We can all help to break the cycle of bullying by:

• Educating those around us about what bullying is and how significant the impact can be
• Reinforce that bullying is never the victim’s fault
• Emphasize that healing is possible, even long after bullying ends

Conclusion:

Bullying is NEVER the result of personal failure or weakness, but a reflection of the other person. Healing is possible by talking to safe people in your life and getting professional support from a therapist. The significant and long-lasting effects of bullying on mental health are not “dramatic” or an exaggeration, but a serious reality that can deeply affect a person’s sense of self and mental well-being. We should all do our part to raise awareness about bullying, be a safe space for the people in our lives, and remember that healing is possible!

Words and actions can leave lasting impressions, but so can compassion, understanding, and support. If you or someone you know is struggling with bullying, we are here to support you! Visit our website our website to learn more or to book your free consultation today. You can also get in touch by email at info@througthewoods.ca or by phone at (403) 984 7922.