International Day of Pink - Expert Comment Available

TORONTO, April 10, 2013 /CNW/ - A recent study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found that 29 per cent of students in Ontario reported being bullied at school, while 22 per cent reported being cyberbullied. The consequences can be deadly: Victims of cyberbullying report higher levels of depression and are two times more likely to have attempted suicide.

Today, many communities across Canada will mark the International Day of Pink which started in Nova Scotia after two students wore pink to show their support for a fellow student who was being bullied. To commemorate the day, people everywhere are encouraged to wear pink to be reminded that positive action can make a difference in preventing bullying and to raise awareness of all types of bullying.

CAMH has experts available to discuss research, prevention programs and the impact that bullying victimization has on youth.

Dr. David Wolfe is head of the CAMH Centre for Prevention Science and a psychologist specializing in issues affecting children and youth. Dr. Wolfe has been pioneering new approaches to preventing youth bullying, relationship violence, and substance abuse. To view a recent presentation Dr. Wolfe gave on the effects of cyberbullying please click here.

Dr. Claire Crooks is a research scientist at CAMH. She develops, implements and evaluates school and community-based programming to promote healthy youth relationships and reduce violence, and has seen the impact such programming can have.

SOURCE: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Media contact: Michael Torres, CAMH Media Relations 416 595 6015 or [email protected]