The Green Bandana Project
Purpose: The origins of this project began with college students on the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus. This program was designed to spread awareness of resources for those with mental illness. The lime green bandanas, to be distributed across campus, are attached to students’ backpacks (or in this year of the pandemic worn anywhere visible to others). This indicates that they are a safe individual to approach with mental health-related issues, that they will listen without judgement, and that they hold a few resource cards (provided by the CLC Counseling Department) with contacts to get help and support.
This program offers unspoken support. If someone sees a lime green bandana on the backpack of a stranger, it is a sign of stigma-free, quiet solidarity. They will know that they are not alone in their struggle. A special thank you to our community partner, Crow Wing Energized www.crowwingenergized.org for their financial support of this project.