When is National Bullying Prevention Month?
National Bullying Prevention Month is under way
Thu, Oct 1, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026
The whole of October.
National Bullying Prevention Month is a US campaign that asks schools, families and communities to work together to stop bullying, in person and online, and to promote kindness and inclusion. PACER Center started it in 2006 as a single week.
About National Bullying Prevention Month
Bullying is repeated, unwanted aggressive behavior, such as hitting, name-calling, spreading rumors, deliberately leaving someone out or harassing them online. The month encourages everyone who spends time with young people, from classmates and parents to teachers, coaches and bus drivers, to learn the warning signs, speak up and make it easier for children to ask for help. PACER says about one in five students report being bullied.
PACER Center, a nonprofit that supports families of children with disabilities, founded its National Bullying Prevention Center in 2006. That same year it launched the campaign as a one-week event in October. It later grew into a month-long effort, and PACER provides free classroom kits, curricula and materials for schools and community groups. Its materials include a section on students with disabilities, a group at the heart of PACER's wider work.
The month's signature event is Unity Day, which PACER started in October 2011. Participants wear and share the color orange as a visible sign that no child should be bullied. Unity Day is held on a Wednesday in October; in 2026 it falls on October 21. Other campaigns run during the same month, including GLAAD's Spirit Day, when people wear purple in support of LGBTQ young people.
Sources: PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center: National Bullying Prevention Month, PACER Center: National Bullying Prevention Month (2015, archived), PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center: Unity Day, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. How we check dates.
How to mark National Bullying Prevention Month
- Talk with your child about what bullying looks like and who they could go to for help, before anything happens.
- Wear orange on Unity Day and explain to anyone who asks what it stands for.
- Teachers can use a free classroom activity kit to run short lessons on kindness and standing up for others.
- Review your school's bullying policy and reporting process, and ask how it covers online harassment.
- Learn how to report and block harassment on the apps your family uses.
- If a child seems withdrawn, anxious or avoids school, ask gently and listen; contact the school or a doctor if you're worried.
National Bullying Prevention Month dates
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wed, Oct 1 – Fri, Oct 31 |
| 2026 | Thu, Oct 1 – Sat, Oct 31 |
| 2027 | Fri, Oct 1 – Sun, Oct 31 |
| 2028 | Sun, Oct 1 – Tue, Oct 31 |
| 2029 | Mon, Oct 1 – Wed, Oct 31 |
| 2030 | Tue, Oct 1 – Thu, Oct 31 |
| 2031 | Wed, Oct 1 – Fri, Oct 31 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Bullying Prevention Month 2026?
National Bullying Prevention Month 2026 is Thu, Oct 1, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026. It falls on the whole of October. In 2027, it is on Friday, October 1, 2027.
Who started National Bullying Prevention Month?
PACER Center launched it in 2006 as a one-week event, alongside its new National Bullying Prevention Center. It has since grown into a month-long campaign in October.
What is Unity Day?
Unity Day is the month's main event, started by PACER in 2011. People wear and share orange to show support for kindness, acceptance and inclusion and against bullying.
What if a young person is in crisis?
If someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. In the US, calling or texting 988 reaches the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is free and available 24/7.
Is National Bullying Prevention Month a public holiday?
No. National Bullying Prevention Month is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.