Green Bandana Project

Run "2" for SMU: Mental Health Awareness

You are not alone

For every age and every background,
We walk, on the streets or in our heart.
In time of challenge and change,
We are united even when we appear alone.
Mental health is not for some, mental health is for all.
We are OneTeam.

We can all take part in something that is life-affirming: as individuals, we can take actions in support of our own mental health and support our friends and family who are struggling. As employers, we can take steps toward putting in place employee wellness programs. As governments, we can commit to establishing or improving mental health services. As journalists, we can help explain what more can and must be done to make mental health care a reality/priority for everyone.

You are not alone. Now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected with our community. No one should feel alone or without the information, support, and help they need.

This October, we are working to become mentally healthier as mental health is the foundation to physical health. To encourage public action, we will be hosting a virtual walk in order to raise mental health awareness.

The event begins Friday, Oct. 23 at 6 a.m. and ends Sunday, Oct. 25, at 8 p.m. Grab your family, social distance with your friends, and join the fun from wherever you are. Complete this virtual “2-mile” race at your own pace, place and time!

Upon registration, you have the choice to order a OneTeam T-shirt to signify no one has to fight their battles alone. We are in this together and we are OneTeam.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the mental health initiative, The Green Bandana Project, on Saint Mary’s Winona Campus.

Learn more about the project. Donations will be accepted and 100% of the proceeds will support building awareness of mental health resources on campus.

Register for Run “2” For SMU and complete your miles the weekend of Oct. 23-25. This is a kid-friendly event, so encourage the whole family to join you! No matter where you are, we can run against the stigma of mental health together!

What to expect?

Step 1: Register for the Event

Step 2: Donate or purchase a T-shirt to build awareness of mental health resources on the Saint Mary’s Winona Campus if you so choose!

Step 3: Select your route! You can utilize websites such as Map My Run to map a 2-mile route in your area. You may run, walk, bike, or rollerblade the 2-miles!

Step 4: Complete your 2 miles and don’t forget to take pictures!!

Step 5: Upload pictures of yourself wearing your race bib, a screenshot of your participation results, and/or even your running trail to social media. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #Run2ForSMU and make the post public so we can view it.

* If you don’t have social media, email your pictures to studentsuccess@smumn.edu and we can share on our social media accounts.

Mental Health Facts (WHO, 2020):

Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder.
Three million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide.
According to the Hopkins Medicine Centre, 1 in 4 Americans suffer from a mental illness.
The WHO estimates that two-thirds of individuals suffering from mental illness choose to avoid seeking help for their condition.
Mental illnesses are one of the leading causes of disability and disease worldwide.
90% of those who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness.

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.

If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.