Marion High students mental health advocates for their peers

MARION -- After receiving training and pledging to support those in need of mental health services, middle and high school students in Marion tie a green bandana to their backpacks.

The bandana signifies to their peers that they are a safe person to talk to if they are struggling with depression, anxiety or another mental health problem. It’s a part of a national movement to normalize getting help for mental health and prevent suicide.

The Bandana Project was founded on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus in 2016 with the help of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is now available to high school and middle school students. The program started at Marion High School in the spring of 2019 and at Vernon Middle School a year later.

Michelle Wilson, a social worker in the Marion Independent School District, said students are trained to be liaisons between their peers struggling with their mental health and a trusted adult.

“The students are not to serve as the role of counselor,” Wilson said, who acknowledge children are more likely to reach out to their peers. If that happens, the student who is a part of the Bandana project goes to a trusted staff member.

Over 100 students are participating at Marion High School. Participating high school students are required to get two hours of training and parent permission before tying a green bandana to their backpack, Wilson said.

“It’s pretty cool to look down our hallways and see all those green bandanas tied ot students’ backpacks.” Wilson said. “It’s quite a sight. We’re making mental health easy to access.”

At Vernon Middle School, the students focus on advocating for mental health awareness and do activities such as writing positive messages in chalk on sidewalks and do activities like mindfulness, yoga and going for a walk.

Students aged 15 to 24 are in the highest risk group for a majority of mental illnesses. Many students do not know where to go to get mental or emotional health care. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for middle and high school students in the United States, according to Foundation 2.

Ellie Gehl, 17, a senior at Marion High, joined because she wanted to be there for others struggling with their mental health after she was diagnosed with anxiety.

“It starts younger than people realize, and can start at a really young age,” Gehl said, adding it’s important to know you’re not alone.

“It’s OK not to be OK,” Marion High senior Noah Wasek said. “There’s nothing wrong or incorrect about your feelings.

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