Marking Suicide Prevention Month at K-State

The stadium lights glowed over the first home football game of the 2026 season, but if you looked closely at the Pride of Wildcat Land marching band, you would notice a distinct change. Mixed in with the traditional purple were a sea of green caps. It wasn't just a styling choice; it was a silent, powerful promise.

Kansas State University is transforming how students look out for one another. September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, a time recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, to confront a heavy reality: suicide remains a leading cause of death among young adults. It is a crisis that does not discriminate based on background, gender or GPA.

On K-State's campus, a departmental student organization called Thrive Navigators is proving that the conversations we avoid are exactly the ones we need to have. Thrive Navigators is under the direction of the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being and Lafene Health Center.

Imagine walking across campus, heavy with stress and spotting a bright green cloth knotted to a classmate's backpack. That is The Green Bandana Project. When a student completes a workshop hosted by the Thrive Navigators, they don’t just walk away with listening skills. They leave with resource cards and that green bandana. It is a visual anchor — a sign that lets others know they are a safe person to reach out to for help.

The fight against the stigma surrounding mental health is happening daily on campus, but it relies on every individual knowing where to turn. Help is always within arm's reach:

• 988 Lifeline: A free, confidential lifeline available 24/7 nationwide for anyone in crisis.
• TimelyCare: A free, 24/7 virtual wellness platform tailored specifically for enrolled K-State students at timelycare.com/kstate.
• CrisisNow Line: A dedicated 24/7 support line at 785-626-8878. Students can save this number directly into their phones under the contact name "CRISIS."

Whether you want to join the Thrive Navigators by applying for membership, attend an open Green Bandana training or follow @thriveksu on Instagram to stay informed, you can be a part of the campus community making a difference.

— Submitted by Shawn Funk