Thrive Navigators provide resources during National Suicide Prevention Week

Sept. 7-13 is National Suicide Prevention Week — a time to raise awareness, promote hope and normalize seeking help. When we educate and inform ourselves, we can make a life-saving difference.

Thrive Navigators is a sponsored student organization under the leadership of the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being and Lafene Health Center. Members are dedicated to bringing awareness to mental health resources on campus and reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health. One of the ways they do this is by providing The Green Bandana Project workshops.

Kansas State University has partnered with The Green Bandana Project to continue a national campaign that raises mental health awareness, reduces stigma, and connects students to mental health and suicide prevention resources.

 

The Green Bandana Project workshop is tailored to help students learn how to recognize and respond to signs of distress in their peers. Workshop participants learn about campus resources and learn helpful listening skills. They are given the opportunity to join the movement and receive resource cards and a green bandana to tie onto their backpack to let their peers know that they are a trusted person who knows how and where to reach out for help.

Students who are passionate about students' well-being and mental health who would like to join Thrive Navigators can complete a membership application. Follow the Thrive Navigators, @thriveksu, on Instagram for information about events being held throughout the week.

• The Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being will be hosting a special WellCAT Chat for Suicide Prevention Week at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in Room 217 in the K-State Student Union. This special WellCAT Chat creates space for honest conversations about mental health, emotional pain and hope. They will break down myths about suicide, talk about warning signs, and explore how we can support ourselves and each other. Whether you've been affected personally or just want to learn how to help, all are welcome.
• The Thrive Navigators will be hosting The Green Bandana Project Open Training at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, in Town Hall of the Leadership Studies Building. Sign up to attend.
• Sign the banner and pledge your support for mental health awareness at the Union Terrace from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8; 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9; and 8:30-10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10. Since green is the color for mental health awareness, the Navigators will be offering free green T-shirts, while supplies last, as well as campus resource information.
• On Thursday, Sept. 11, you are invited to wear your green T-shirt for a campuswide green-out to show support for mental health.

If you are thinking about suicide or are concerned about someone else, call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor. Other resources for K-State students include Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, and 24/7 mental health support by calling the Central Kansas Mental Health Center at 785-515-6143.