Metropolis at Metrotown

What is Pink Shirt Day?
 
Pink Shirt Day is an awareness campaign to stop bullying. It started as a simple show of support for a young boy in Nova Scotia who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. Two grade 12 students learned about the bullying and took action. They purchased pink shirts to hand out and asked their friends to wear pink to school the next day.
 
The following day hundreds of students showed up wearing pink. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. The bullies were never heard from again.
 
This show of support started a global movement that is being seen around the world. The symbol of the pink shirt is more important than ever.
 
Why is Metropolis at Metrotown Supporting Pink Shirt Day?
 
The statistics are staggering and the news headlines are saddening. Metropolis believes bullying is something no one should experience.
 
 Metropolis at Metrotown strives to maintain a positive, inclusive environment for everyone. We believe no one should endure bullying and the more we raise awareness of the issue and the resources out there, the healthier our community is. 
 
How can I tell if my child is being bullied at school?

• Shows an abrupt lack of interest in school or after school activities
• Takes an unusual route to school or after school activities
• Suffers a drop in grades
• Withdraws from family and school activities and wants to be left alone
• Is hungry after school - saying he /she lost money or wasn't hungry at school
• Makes a bee line for the bathroom after school
• Is sad, sullen, angry or scared after receiving a text message, phone call or email
• Uses derogatory or demeaning language when talking about peers
• Stops talking about peers and everyday activities
• Has disheveled, torn or missing clothing
• Has physical injuries not consistent with the explanation
• Has physical complaints - headaches, stomach aches or changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Shows symptoms of depression
• Begins or increases using substances

What should you do if you are bullied?
 
·         Be confident. Bullies tend to pick on people they think they can push around.
·         Tell the bully to stop.
·         Talk to someone immediately (below are a list of resources).
·         Make new friends and surround yourself with positive people.
·         Do NOT fight back.
 
Here is a list of some organizations that can help
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Vancouver –
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Vancouver (BGCGV) provides a wide range of social, health, educational and recreational services to assist young people in their growth and development
Crisis Centre        604-872-3311
24/7, provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including feelings which may lead to suicide.
Helpline for Children      310-1234 (no area code) or “0”
A child or youth who is being mistreated (at home, school, anywhere) or for Community Members (parents, caregivers, teachers, friends, anyone) can call for help.
It Gets Better
The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.
 Kids Help Phone        1-800-668-6868
Kids Help Phone is a free, anonymous and confidential phone andon-line professional counselling service for youth. Big or small concerns. 24/7. 365 days a year.
Love BC   
LOVE (Leave Out Violence) is an award-winning youth violence prevention organization.LOVE was founded on the belief that youth challenged by violence can be agents of change, capable of transforming their own lives, investing themselves in their communities, and making the world a safer place.
Love is Louder  
This movement strives to amplify the momentum of other inspiring online campaigns and invite anyone who has felt mistreated, misunderstood or isolated into the conversation
Ministry of Child and Family Development – After Hours 604-660-4927
For emergencies outside office hours
Mental Health Emergency Services-Car 87   604-874-7307 (or 911)
Car 87 teams a Vancouver Police constable with a registered nurse to provide on-site assessments and intervention for people with psychiatric problems.
Vancouver Bashline – Anti-Queer Violence   604-889-6203
Provides short-term counselling,k info and referral for LGBT persons regarding instances of anti-queer violence and same-sex relationship violence.
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter   604-872-8212
Operate a shelter for women and their children.  If you need a safe place to stay in order to escape or prevent an attack, their transition house is available to you.  Support groups meet once a week.  Please call for appointment.
VictimLINK        1-800-563-0808
24/7, provides interpretation services for all the major languages spoken in BC.  Operators provide information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.
 
Youth Against Violence      1-800-680-4264
24/7, provides one-on-one support and information from a trained support person to help youth deal with issues of youth violence and crime.  A safe and anonymous way to report or prevent violent incident and criminal activity or get assistance with other problems such as bullying, gangs, harassment, intimidation, or sexual exploitation.