Spring has sprung on IU’s campus.  There’s a lot more green, but not just in the foliage.  5,000 lime green bandanas have been scattered across campus, tied to backpacks and purses.  But what do they mean? The color green symbolizes national mental health awareness.  IU Student Government is adopting The Green Bandana Project, a Big 10 initiative to help end the stigma that surrounds mental health.

IUSG members passed out the bandanas this week with the hope that these pops of green would bring feelings of comfort to students.  The bandanas are intended to symbolize that no student should have to feel alone and that anyone with a bandana on their bag is an ally to those living with mental illness.

Anna Dubois, IUSG’s Communications Coordinator, says, “If someone is wearing a green bandana then they’re there for people who are going through a difficult time or that they’re there for someone who needs somebody to talk to or just to show that they are not alone.”

Dubois is excited to see how much the project grows in the next couple of years, with hopes to increase the amount of bandanas distributed each year.

The project was not accomplished alone.  With support from IU Student Government, UBringChange2Mind, Kelley Student Government, Balance at Kelley, Culture of Care, Residence Hall Association, IU Dance Marathon, and Student Athletic Advisory Council, the initiative was able to happen.

Watch IUSG’s video on the Green Bandana project here.