Pink Shirt Day is this week, and while kids are out of school for the week, others are carrying the anti-bullying message.

The tradition was started in Nova Scotia in 2007 in support of a student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.

It's been a prevalent tradition in Canadian schools since then, but it's also been championed by other groups including government officials, police detachments, and other first responders.

Since they're not able to wear alternate pink uniforms, local mounties are wearing pink shirt pins.Since they're not able to wear alternate pink uniforms, local mounties are wearing pink shirt pins.

Cpl. Christopher Hrynyk with the Okotoks RCMP detachment says bullying doesn't only take place at school.

"A lot of the issues with bullying, we see firsthand and how it can be so devastating, so our showing support for the anti-bullying is extremely important. It shows that we do have solidarity with the public and are looking to help reduce bullying in any place that we can."

Local mounties are wearing pink shirt pins on their uniforms all week in support of the message.

For Cpl. Hrynyk, influential figures like the RCMP and other emergency responders can make a big impact by showing their support for this kind of initiative.

"I feel we definitely have an important role in anti-bullying. We take the role of being role models for a lot of the people involved, and being a support network for them in order to try and reduce and prevent any harm that can come to them."

Others who showed support locally include Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson, Town of High River Parks and Recreation, Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn, and the Okotoks Fire Department.

Photo courtesy of the Okotoks Fire Department (Twitter)Photo courtesy of the Okotoks Fire Department (Twitter)