Green Ribbon Project
What does wearing a ribbon stand for?
The green ribbon project is intended to gain and spread awareness for mental health in Manitoba. By wearing the ribbon, you are in support of destigmatizing mental health, showing others your support, and showing that they are not alone in the struggle. This gives visible support for something that is often times invisible.
Why green?
The green ribbon is the awareness ribbon for mental health.
Who can participate?
Anyone! Whether you are struggling with mental health issues yourself, know friends or family members that are, or just want to support a great cause in general, you can wear a green ribbon, spread awareness, educate others, and send in your pictures.
How can I participate?
You can participate by either wearing a green ribbon or displaying one where it can be seen by others, for example, posting one in your window or attaching one to your vehicle. Other options may include drawing pictures of ribbons or posting images of green ribbons on social media and tagging us! We then encourage you to take a picture of you wearing the ribbon or where you have decided to display it. If you would like your name or business to be included as well, please include all information with the image. Then either email it to us at greenribbonprojectwinnipeg@outlook.com or DM us on Instagram @greenribbonprojectwinnipeg to be featured on our website, Instagram page, or both!
What if I don’t want my face shown, but still want to participate?
You can still send in photographs of the ribbon on your shirt without your face in the picture or send in images and ask for your face to be blurred. You can also post the ribbon on your vehicle or window and send the image of just the window or vehicle instead. You may also post an image of a green ribbon on your social media and tag us to be featured! If these options are not accessible to you, we also have a link to a petition that focuses on the change we would like to see in Manitoba. Click here to view and sign the petition.
What should I say if someone asks me what the ribbon means?
You can tell them about our goal of destigmatizing mental health, showing others your support, and showing that they are not alone in the struggle as well as referring them to our website or social media for more information, what ending the stigma and mental health means for you, or share your own stories, knowledge, and support with others.
Where can I get a ribbon?
Due to Covid-19, we cannot hand out ribbons, therefore we encourage you to make or draw your own! For making ribbons, green ribbon and tape will do the job! You can also print or draw your own ribbons and cut them out or share them with us online.
What was the inspiration for the project?
For our group, we were inspired by MADD’s “Project Red Ribbon”. For those who do not know, Project Red Ribbon is an annual campaign by MADD to promote sober driving during the holidays. They distribute red ribbons and more for Canadians to put on display for others to see that they support sober driving and to serve as a reminder. We were also inspired by the movement in Winnipeg called “Winnipeg Window Gallery” and the messages of thanks for frontline workers, both during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both encouraged those in Winnipeg to post artwork in their windows during isolation and to give messages of thanks for frontline workers in Manitoba. With this, we looked up what ribbon was in support of mental health and came up with the idea. Upon further research later in the project, we also realized that projects very similar to this has been done in other parts of the world, however none were done in Manitoba.
This information and more on the Red Ribbon Campaign can be found here
This information and more on the Winnipeg Window Gallery can be found here