It’s not a sign of secret society or some new fashion trend you haven’t heard of. The green bandana means that person is an advocate for mental health.
The Green Bandana Project is a national initiative, and the WSU Green Bandana Project was launched in January 2019.
It was started by two WSU students– Taylor Juresh and Kari Schneiss– who wanted to make sure that their fellow Warriors who are struggling with mental health had the resources and community support they needed.
Be Part of the Green Bandana Project
To be part of the Green Bandana Project, you can take a pledge and pick up a green bandana in The WELL (IWC 138).
You will need to know how to help someone in distress. This means educating yourself on:
- what signals of distress look like
- how to approach someone who’s in distress
- what resources that you can recommend
By taking the pledge, you are promising to be here for your peers to hear out their mental health needs and get them connected to resources.
I Pledge to
- listen if you need to talk to someone
- talk to someone if I need to be heard
- help you find someone to talk to when you need more support
- find someone to talk to when I need more support
- be accepting
- be honest
- see a person in need or support and not just their challenges
With this pledge, I am declaring support for those dealing with challenges to their mental and emotional wellbeing.
You can talk to me. I want to help.
Get a Virtual Green Bandana
Due to COVID-19, there are fewer people around campus carrying backpacks and bags.
So the Active Minds club members have created new ways to wear a green bandana and show your support for mental health.
Zoom Backgrounds
Update your Zoom background with the Green Bandana to show your classmates that you are available to talk about mental health.
Open these images links and save to your computer:
Here’s a tutorial on how to add a Zoom Virtual Background.
Email Signatures
Update your WSU email signature with a green bandana to show support, extra kudos to you if you make your email signature text in green.
Open these image links and save to your computer.
Here’s how to set up your Outlook Email Signature and also see how to Add a Logo or Image.
Don’t forget to add your name, phone number and majors and minors as well as any:
- on-campus work positions
- club affiliations
- pronouns
Profile Pictures
Whether this is for Zoom or your personal email, this shows that you took the Green Bandana Pledge.
Open these image links and save to your computer:
Here’s how to update your Zoom Profile Picture or Outlook Profile Picture.
Facebook Frames
Add a frame to your profile picture on Facebook by going to Facebook Profile Pic Frames and searching for “Green Bandana” or “Winona State Health & Wellness Services.”
Select from one of the options and make it your profile picture to show your support!
When You See a Green Bandana
Know that you are not alone.
If you see a green bandana in any of these virtual spaces, know that it is a sign of quiet solidarity
and support.
Reach out and talk to someone. You are way too important to feel alone today.
-Savannah Petrovic, ’21
