Wear a Bandana, Change a Life

Story by Ankita Bansode

Photo by Ellie Habel

Ohio University establishes chapter of national mental health initiative: The Bandana Project

Lime green bandanas are used as a symbol in support of eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health.

The hustle culture associated with college life can make it hard for students to take care of themselves physically and emotionally. The stigma around mental health makes it difficult for students to find a safe place to turn when they need help. According to the Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal, estimates show around 40% of undergraduate students “have a mental health condition.”

Due to concerns for the mental health of students, the Office of Health Promotion at Ohio University has launched their own chapter of The Bandana Project, a national mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiative. The project encourages students and faculty to wear a lime green bandana to show that they are comfortable discussing topics related to mental health.

The two people at the office leading the project are Ann Brandon, the associate director of prevention and education, and Paige Klatt, the assistant director of prevention and education. Three graduate assistants also work on The Bandana Project throughout the semester, promoting the initiative among students and faculty at OU. The project receives funding through Rise and Thrive, which is a program through the Prevention Action Alliance – an organization that promotes mental health and wellness at universities in Ohio.

The Bandana Project was founded at the University of Wisconsin – Madison “with the help of a NAMI On Campus chapter,” in January of 2016, according to The Bandana Project’s website. Colin Bass, after his uncle and close friend died by suicide while he was in high school, went to college with the mission to deconstruct the stigma surrounding mental illness. Bass sought innovative ways to promote mental health and raise awareness. The lime green bandanas are used as a symbol of support for people feel to more comfortable seeking help.

Students between the ages of 15 and 24 “are in the highest risk group for a majority of mental illnesses,” but one in four will not seek support or treatment, according to The Bandana Project.

Each bandana represents seamless threads of support, tying individuals who struggle with their mental health to people who care about their well-being. The bandanas are displayed on backpacks, bikes, hats and other items to distinguish participants. Ambassadors welcome individuals to have conversations and wear the bandanas to express solidarity while promoting mental health awareness among students.

"When we normalize it, then we no longer feel the impact of the stigma and shame that folks might have with mental health challenges or the things that they face,” Brandon says.

55 chapters have adopted the initiative and each is doing its part to contribute to the awareness movement, Brandon says. When people have conversations about mental health, they work toward a future when mental health is no longer a taboo topic. Every day people are building support networks and finding the necessary help through The Bandana Project.

"It's a simple and powerful mental health awareness and suicide prevention program," says Keamogetse Khudu, a graduate assistant at the Office of Health Promotion. She came across this project last semester and saw the program's potential.

"[The project promises to] change the trajectory of social norms to being open to and accepting of those who want to talk about mental illness," says Erin Dickson, another graduate assistant, regarding the reason the project stood out to her.

According to Dickson and Khudu, there are four steps people can take to get involved with The Bandana Project:

1. Wearing the lime green bandana and knowing what it means. By donning the bandana, people on campus will associate it with participation in The Bandana Project, representing a commitment to fighting the stigma.

2. Getting a resource card from a bandana project ambassador. The card helps navigate some of OU’s resources such as Counseling and Psychological Services, the Survivor Advocacy Program, the Multicultural Center and other places students go for support.

3. Participating in conversations with ambassadors and students. The acknowledgment of mental health issues helps to create a new norm on campus.

4. Educating oneself and normalizing mental health issues by practicing self-care and learning about topics relating to mental health.  

The bandana is a wearable symbol representing the commitment to mental well-being. Offering hope through self-expression and positivity, The Bandana Project encourages students to join in discussions with friends, family and colleagues about potentially uncomfortable topics.

It also provides an opportunity for students to become visible ambassadors of campus mental health advocacy, creating a platform for awareness, empathy and support.

“It’s just a step,” Brandon says. “It’s not going to solve all the issues. But this would very much be connected to a sense of belonging. The more we normalize reducing stigma, the more someone might feel like, hey I’m not alone here.”

To become an ambassador, visit thebandanaproj.org.