According to the World Health Organization (2021). Depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Research shows that suicide death rates for Black girls ages 13 to 19 increased by 182% from 2001 to 2017. Despite these alarming realities, little to know efforts have been made to teach our youth preventative strategies for them to get and stay well. We have been so sharply focused on the emergency responses we have not developed strategies and practices to help our youth stay healthy.
Green Ribbon Week turns our lens toward wellness. Its goals are:
Educate youth about ways to maintain good mental health practices.
Encourage LISTENING to youth to better understand their needs and ways to support.
Make conversations about mental health as common as conversations about physical health.
During the 3rd week in September, partnering schools engage in a series of classroom, school-wide and community efforts to educate and practice positive mental health practices. We are now seeking legislation that will allow youth one day off per marking period to attend to their mental health.
Our annual event Give Thanks is our fundraising effort to support the Green Ribbon Week program.
Please check out our 2024 Green Ribbon Week program for details.