On K-State’s campus, a green bandana is more than a fashionable accessory. It is a sign of solidarity, understanding and connection between students. 

The Green Bandana Project is just one of many ways mental health awareness is promoted on campus. Thrive, a student well-being organization, leads the project at K-State and aims to destigmatize mental health on campus.

“The Green Bandana Project is a student-led suicide awareness program,” Nadiya Al-Murrani, senior in biology education and president of Thrive, said. “Its purpose is to empower students to seek help and talk about mental illnesses.”

September was christened Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in 2008, and since then it has served as a reminder to make mental health a topic of conversation in everyday life. Thrive is one of many organizations across the K-State campus that aim to ensure silence is never an option. 

“Thrive is an organization focused on peer-to-peer mental health advocacy and support,” Al-Murrani said. “Hearing from your peers is often more meaningful than hearing from a professor or advisor, so we are determined to make that happen.”

Students who partake in the Green Bandana Project go through a training session where they learn the best ways to support people who are struggling with their mental health. The training also includes strategies on how to have productive conversations and guide fellow students to helpful resources. 

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, around 24,000 college students attempt suicide every year, making suicide the second leading cause of death among college-aged people. 

“A recent ACHA [American College Health Association] survey found that 25% of undergraduate students screened positive for suicidal ideation,” Karan Bhatia, LCPC, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff therapist, said. “Suicide Awareness Month matters because it gives us a dedicated moment to say that it’s okay to not be okay, and that help is available.”

Al-Murrani said open discussions about mental health can save lives and make asking for help easier for people who are struggling.

“The best way to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness is to talk about it,” Al-Murrani said. “The more we talk about it, the less taboo it becomes. If I’m openly talking about mental illness, someone else might feel comfortable opening up to me about their experience.”

While the Green Bandana Project primarily promotes conversation between students, there are other resources around K-State that connect students with mental health professionals. Lafene Health Center offers counseling services through CAPS that are free for students to use. One service provided through CAPS is TimelyCare.

“We’d love for you to register for TimelyCare services,” Stephanie Jacobs, CAPS associate director, said. “Once registered, you can access self-care materials, access TalkNow visits for when you’re stressed and need immediate assistance or schedule regular telehealth counseling visits.”

All these resources exist to support K-State students and provide an opportunity for students to be listened to without judgment. But there are also things individuals can do on a personal level that can reduce the stigma. 

Knowing what resources to recommend, asking meaningful questions, recognizing changes in mood or behavior and checking in with friends and family can help build a community where mental health is no longer a taboo subject. 

“Know you’re not alone,” Al-Murrani said. “It sounds cliche, but knowing that there are so many people on campus who have similar experiences and can help you out is comforting. K-State wants students to feel supported and has many resources to help with that.”