Advisory Council of Students’ Green Bandana Initiative
The Green Bandana Initiative, an effort spearheaded by members of the 2021-2022 State Advisory Council of Students, is a mental health awareness and training campaign aimed at encouraging students at West Virginia's colleges and universities to receive peer-level mental health training AND at bringing about increased awareness of the importance of mental health. The Green Bandana Initiative is intended to be a student-led effort, calling on SGA members and other student leaders on campus to help spread the word about mental health trainings such as Mental Health First Aid, QPR, SafeTALK, or other evidence-based mental health/gatekeeper trainings to their fellow students and encourage them to sign-up and be trained. Students completing training will receive a green bandana to wear or tie to their bookbag to signify to other students that they have been trained and can offer peer-level assistance. The green bandanas worn by the trained students also serve to raise awareness of the importance of mental health.
Green Bandana Initiative Flyer
Green Bandana Initiative FAQs
GBI Shareable social media posts (select the campus mental health tab)
Green Bandana Initiative Social Media Press Kit
Mental Health Training Opportunities
To request bandanas for your campus training, as supplies last, email namigreaterwheeling@namiwheeling.org with your name, shipping address, number requested and date of event(s).
- Learn more about Mental Health First Aid Training https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
- Learn more about QPR (Question, Persuade Refer Training https://qprinstitute.com/
Don’t see anything scheduled for your school?
Virtual and In person Youth & Adult Mental Health First Aid / Virtual and In Person QPR
Provided by: NAMI of Greater Wheeling
For: students at any college or university
Email Julie Gomez - namigreaterwheeling@namiwheeling.org - with questions or to schedule for your college or university
Check out these mental health training opportunities available from Prevent Suicide WV. To schedule a training for your school, contact Prevent Suicide WV: Barri Faucett Barri.Faucett@prestera.org
- SafeTalk (3 hour in-person training) https://www.livingworks.net/safetalk
- Livingworks Start (90 min virtual training) https://www.livingworks.net/start
- Recognize, Respond, React (90 min in-person or virtual training) https://preventsuicidewv.com/evidence-based-practices/
West Virginia Behavioral Health Workforce and Health Equity Training Center at Marshall University
https://wvbhtraining.org/
To schedule a training for your school, contact: Kari Mika-Lude mikalude@marshall.edu
- Mental Health First Aid (5-6 hour training) https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
- Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) (1-2 hour training) https://qprinstitute.com/
- Livingworks Start (90 min virtual training) https://www.livingworks.net/start
Find a QPR instructor near you by clicking on in-person training and searching with your school’s zip code.
https://qprinstitute.com/about-qpr
Scheduled Trainings
Bluefield State University - Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Provided by: Sheila Gates, BSU
For: For campus community
Sept 27, 2024 11:00am—noon
In person on campus, Tierney Conf Room
Contact Sheila Gates at 304-327-4140 or email at SGATES@bluefieldstate.edu for more info
Bluefield State University - Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Provided by: Sheila Gates, BSU
For: For campus community
Nov 12, 2024 11:00am—noon
In person on campus, Tierney Conf Room
Contact Sheila Gates at 304-327-4140 or email at SGATES@bluefieldstate.edu for more info
Green Bandana Initiative in the News
Youtube: Marshall Green Bandana Initiative
WV Gazette Mail: College students take on mental health with Green Bandana Initiative
WTAP: Green Bandana Initiative looks to address student mental health
WKMZ News: Green Bandana Initiative
News and Sentinel: Glenville State students participate in Green Bandana Initiative
WBOY: Glenville students wear green bandanas for suicide prevention
WVU Potomac State College News: Keyser Campus students complete mental health training