Be a wellness champion by understanding the serious impacts of bullying & cyberbullying

FNHA staff on Pink Shirt Day

Today is Pink Shirt Day, a day for us to focus on the importance of being kind to each other as well as on why and how to prevent bullying, including its newest form in this age of technology, cyberbullying.

Pink Shirt Day was so named after two young boys in Nova Scotia chose to fight bullying in their school with a very unusual tool -- pink shirts! Another boy had been bullied for wearing one, so the boys convinced their classmates to wear pink shirts to school in a show of support. The intent was to initiate an atmosphere of connection, inclusion and solidarity, and it worked! That was in 2007 – since then, Pink Shirt Day has worked to raise awareness of bullying, as well as to raise funds to support programs that foster children's healthy self-esteem.

This year, Pink Shirt Day's focus is on cyberbullying, which is thought to affect over 25% of children and youth as well as an undetermined number of adults. Cyberbullying can occur in many different forms, including but not limited to: angry, rude, insulting or threatening messages on different platforms (emails, social media), harassment, "cyberstalking," defamation, "catfishing," "outing" and exclusion.

Bullying is an important issue because of its short- and long-term negative mental health impacts. One expression of bullying is lateral violence, which is misdirected anger that is caused by powerlessness. In 2017, the FNHA, First Nations Health Directors Association and First Nations Health Council endorsed a Declaration of Lateral Kindness, reminding us to respond to one another from a place of empathy and kindness. The FNHA also has a Respectful workplace policy that aims to create a safe and respectful workplace for everyone, and we also work to promote cultural safety and humility within our partners' health organizations.

Studies have shown that there is a relationship between bullying in general and mental health. In those who have experienced bullying, there can occur increased depression, anxiety, distress, physical illness (body-mind connection), suicidal thoughts and decreased self-esteem. Though there has not yet been as much research into the association between cyberbullying and mental health, what has been done shows that many of the same symptoms can occur in cases of cyberbullying.

There are solutions. While bullying in any form almost always involves an intent to target and victimize, part of the solution involves establishing personal and organizational boundaries and creating positive, inclusive surroundings -- at school, at the office, online or in any other setting.

As parents, friends, relatives and role models to young people and others who may be bullied, it's important to lift each other up, build healthy self-esteem and discuss the serious negative effects of bullying. At FNHA, we encourage everyone to be "Wellness Champions," including by living the principles of lateral kindness and unity that are key ways of supporting and encouraging each other on our individual wellness journeys. Please remember to be kind and to model and teach your children about the seriousness of bullying and cyberbullying. Together we can build the connections that counter adverse experiences, including those of bullying and cyberbullying.  

In Wellness,

Dr. Nel Wieman, MSc., MD, FRCPC

Little Grand Rapids First Nation

Anishnawbe