Redesigning the green ribbon for mental health awareness goes beyond looks

The green ribbon for mental health awareness was given a new look by our columnist. — Photos: TENGKU PUTERI IMAN AFZAN

I started 2021 with a bang.

What began as a social media campaign on Oct 10, 2020 – World Mental Health Day – quickly spiralled out of control as the year came to an end.

This spiralling, however, was positive.

As some of you may know, the green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness.

I came across an interesting fact when I was looking into the history of the green ribbon.

Apparently, in the 1800s, green was the colour used to label people who were considered insane.

While the green ribbon for mental health has not gained as much traction as the pink ribbon for breast cancer or the red ribbon for AIDS, it goes without saying that we have already come very far.

Although stigma and prejudice remain challenges for us to address, the green ribbon is no longer associated with the pejorative word “insane”, but with the conquerors – those who have struggled and persevered, and have come out bigger and better for it.

I have to thank the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) for generously donating initially a few green ribbons to celebrate World Mental Health Day 2020.

What started off as a few quickly transitioned to a lot – syukur Alhamdulillah.

It signalled to me that mental health is a cause that has been severely overlooked.

More importantly, it signalled to me that people want mental health issues to be addressed and they want something to be done now.

As my friend likes to say, the support for me to raise awareness on mental health has simply been too overwhelming to ignore.

We know what the challenges are: resources are limited, stigma is high and those struggling do so in silence.

Coming off the success of World Mental Health Day 2020, coupled with the year that we have all had with the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to redesign the green ribbon.

A bigger meaning

This wasn’t done for vanity reasons.

The old green ribbon for mental health awareness.

On the contrary, I felt a redesign was necessary to give mental health a boost; a little twist to “trendify” and help normalise conversations on such a sensitive – and sometimes, still taboo - topic.

The intention is also to include mental health in the narratives of sustainability and our recovery in a post-pandemic world.

On Christmas eve, my friend and I decided to take the next step to try and drive change in our mental health landscape here at home.

So on Jan 5, 2021, the Green Ribbon Group was born.

We are a social enterprise with the aim of helping to push the mental health agenda forward in Malaysia.

We would like to empower organisations and individuals who have worked tirelessly on mental healthcare over the past decades.

We are a small team of four women and we are motivated by two factors.

First, we do not want anyone to feel like they do not matter.

I want people to be aware that love and support go a very long way, and that kindness can be life-changing.

I know this from experience.

Second, we believe our country and our fellow citizens will look out and have compassion for one another.

To me, the green ribbon is not only about raising awareness, breaking the stigma and supporting those with lived experience.

It represents a larger meaning to me; it is a reminder that mental health is the responsibility of all.

Each and every one of us – whether or not you currently have mental health challenges, whether or not you have experienced them in the past, whether or not you are a caregiver, whether or not you believe in the repercussions of poor mental health – we all have a role to play and we can no longer take our roles lightly.

Be kind to ourselves

The green ribbon epitomises the importance of self-care.

If we are unhappy, our loved ones could suffer.

If we are happy, we would be better able to care for those we love.

You cannot pour from an empty cup, but you will be able to move mountains if you are nurtured.

Most of all, because the green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness, I would like it to sink in and resonate with all that Malaysia can and will set global standards on a community approach to mental healthcare.

This is a goal that we are capable of achieving.

And it starts with us being kind to ourselves.

I have big dreams to achieve and big shoes to fill.

But ultimately, my role is to spread kindness and compassion, and to eradicate judgment and ridicule.

The Green Ribbon Group is my platform to do so.

Please visit us on Instagram and let us know your thoughts on mental healthcare in Malaysia.

Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan is the Royal Patron of the National Coalition of Mental Wellbeing and International Patron of World Mental Health Day 2020. For more information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.