11th Green Ribbon campaign promotes open conversations about mental health

See Change, a programme of Shine, is the national programme dedicated to ending stigma and discrimination associated with mental health, has launched the 11th national Green Ribbon Campaign.

The first official event took place on Friday, September 1, at the Mansion House in Dublin, marking the beginning of a month-long initiative aimed at creating awareness and challenging the myths and misconceptions around mental health.

Speaking at the launch  of the campaign, Nicola Byrne, CEO, Shine said; “The theme of this year’s campaign is “judgement”. People with mental illness can be unfairly judged or labelled based on their experiences which can lead to discrimination, isolation, and exclusion. This judgement can come from lack of understanding, fear, or societal misconceptions about mental illness. By prompting a national conversation about mental health and by encouraging people to educate themselves about mental illnesses, we hope to eradicate the stigma that many people living with a mental health difficulty experience today.”

Over  the month of September, the Green Ribbon Campaign will feature engaging events, inspiring social media campaigns and support for workplaces, organisations and people across Ireland to start having open and honest conversations about mental health.

The campaign uses the symbol of a green ribbon to represent hope and solidarity for those affected by mental health challenges.

The campaign invites everyone to wear a Green Ribbon throughout September, signalling an open and embracing attitude towards discussing mental health.

People can pick up a FREE Green Ribbon at participating Boots Pharmacies, AIB Bank branches, Iarnród Éireann stations, and Eir stores or by contacting See Change.

Speaking at the launch, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste said; “I am delighted to announce my unwavering support for the See Change Green Ribbon Campaign. By reducing stigma and promoting open conversations about mental health, we can create a society that embraces compassion and understanding. The Mansion House will proudly light up green, serving as a symbol of our commitment and support for this vital cause. Together, let us break the barriers of judgement and build a more inclusive and empathetic society.”

Recent research conducted by Shine around the language used to discuss mental health and mental illness, ties in closely with the core aim of Shine’s See Change programme to end the stigma surrounding mental health. Their research revealed that "mental illness" is the preferred descriptor among individuals with lived experience, promoting equity with the term "physical illness".

To find out more about this year’s Green Ribbon Campaign, visit https://seechange.ie/green-ribbon or follow Twitter: @SeeChangeIRL; Facebook: @SeeChangeIreland; Instagram: @SeeChangeIRL