(Isabela Diaz-Mira | Student Life)
The Green Bandana Project is a new student-led initiative launched on February 28th that aims to prevent suicide by promoting help-seeking and increasing awareness of WashU’s mental health resources.
Students participating in this project will complete suicide prevention training and become mental health ambassadors in their communities. These students will be given green bandanas to signify that they are a resource for those on campus who may be struggling with their mental health.
“Anyone with a green bandana automatically becomes a safe place for students, or really anyone, on WashU’s campus to talk about mental health,” said senior Paris Nix, who spearheaded the project. the professor said. Nix is also a Peer Health Healing Educator (PHE) in charge of suicide prevention at the Habif Health and Wellness Center and a student-athlete on his college volleyball team.
“The ambassador in the green bandana always carries a resource card…[so] that [they] We can provide support to students who are struggling with their mental health or want to seek out mental health resources,” Nix said.
This project highlights the importance of seeking and building communities where mental health support is available.
“It’s important to reach out and talk to someone if you need it. That’s what the Bandana Project is trying to do. There’s a space where community exists and where people can reach out and ask people for help. Let’s show that,’” said Bethany Hutchings, Habif’s mental health promotion co-ordinator and another PHE.
The project’s ambassadors connect students with appropriate mental health resources. They do not function as professional care providers.
“If a student comes here, [a green bandana ambassador] In the midst of suffering [ambassador] “I would not act as a medical or mental health professional,” Nix said. “This is not therapy or professional help at all. It’s just being a safe person to talk to and a companion to answer your questions about what resources are available…”
In addition to connecting students to appropriate mental health resources, we can also raise awareness of mental health issues within the WashU community.
“It’s also important to reduce stigma. Often people have a hard time disclosing that they are facing a mental health problem because they feel like they are the only ones facing it and other people don’t. Because other people don’t suffer the same way,” sophomore Julia Trost said.
Nix’s own struggles with mental health as a student-athlete led him to bring this project to WashU. During his junior year, Nix was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder by a WashU psychiatrist.
“My own experience with mental health has opened my eyes to the importance of mental health and the role it plays in our lives,” Nix said.
Unfortunately, the Knicks’ experience is not unique. She has seen her colleagues struggle with their mental health as well.
“[These experiences] It really opened my eyes to the need for something to help students feel safe reaching out for support and a source of support to connect them with the right resources,” Nix said. said.
Project organizers hope the program will encourage students struggling with mental health issues to seek support from green bandana ambassadors.
“Every member of the WashU community knows that no matter your situation or what you’re going through, support is available to you through your colleagues and through the resources at WashU, which means there really is support here for you. I want people to know that,” he said. Knicks.
Project organizers will hold orientation sessions in Room 276 of the DUC on March 19th at 4pm and March 25th at 5pm. Participating students will complete suicide prevention training, receive a bandana and resource card, and become a “green bandana.” Ambassadors. ”
