Skip to main content

Green Bandana Brigade

Animated greyhound dog wearing a green bandanaWho are we?

Have you seen green bandanas on students' backpacks around campus? If so, you have landed on the right page! Loyola’s Green Bandana Brigade genuinely cares about each individual’s well-being in our campus community. The green bandana is a sign of stigma-free solidarity.

The Green Bandana Brigade’s goal is to spread awareness of campus, local, and national resources for students coping with mental health concerns. An individual with a green bandana on their backpack or in their office is identified as a safe, nonjudgmental person to approach with mental health-related difficulties. They know about available resources and they can provide resource cards to assist others in getting help and support. None of us has to be alone in our struggles.

aerial photo of the bridge over North Charles StreetThe Green Bandana Project is part of a growing number of colleges because students aged 15-24 are in the highest risk group for many mental illnesses, though 1 in 4 nationally will not seek help or treatment. In addition, there are more than 1,000 deaths by suicide on college campuses annually in the United States. Our hope is that there will be green bandanas all around campus to let students know that their peers and faculty are always there for them.

How to Join the Brigade

In order to earn a green bandana and become an advocate for mental health, one must complete an online mental health training. The training is called Kognito and it is a research-based, interactive role-play simulation that builds awareness, knowledge, and skills about mental health and suicide prevention. It prepares users to lead real-life conversations with fellow students in distress and then connect them with support. At the end of the training, the participant will be presented with a certification of completion. Bring the certificate to the Counseling Center to receive your green bandana and set of resource cards. students sitting at different parts of the common area near the CIE in the Student Center

Thank you for prioritizing the mental health of others and welcome to the Brigade!

Loyola Resources

  • Counseling Center: (M-F 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) Humanities 150, 410-617-2273
  • Sexual Violence Prevention, Education, and Response Coordinator: (M-F 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) 4504A Seton Court, 410-617-6769
  • Residence Life & Housing (Office): (M-F 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) Seton Court 08B, 410-617-5081 or R.A. on duty's phone number after hours
  • Campus Police (24/7)
    • Emergency: 410-617-5911
    • Non-Emergency: 410-617-5010

Local Resources

  • University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center: (410) 337-1000
  • Mercy Hospital (bMOREsafe Sexual Assault program): (410) 332-9000
  • Union Memorial Hospital: (410) 554-2000
  • GBMC Hospital (SAFE Sexual Assault program): (443) 849-3323 (Emergency: 443-849-2000)
  • Sinai Hospital: (410) 601-9000
  • Turn Around  (443) 279-0379   (Support services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence)
  • Grassroots Crisis Hotline: (410) 531-6006
  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741

Advocacy

Founders

Siena, Cammi, and Ben of the Class of 2022 founded The Green Bandana Brigade for their University Innovation Fellows project. They seek to make changes at Loyola while broadening and encouraging the discussion of mental health on campus.

Siena Pizzano

Siena Pizzano is from West Orange, New Jersey. Majoring in Data Science and minoring in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, her favorite class at Loyola was Data Analytics and Information Systems taught by Professor Jake London. A fun fact of hers is that she has gone caving in West Virginia through Loyola’s Outdoor Adventure Experience (OAE). Along with UIF, Siena is involved in Chapel Choir, Treasurer of Women in Technology Club, Greyhound Group Consulting, CPaMS, Dance Crew, and Crochet for a Cause.

Cammi Galley

Cammi Galley is a Psychology major from Baltimore, Maryland. Her favorite class at Loyola so far has been Customer Experience Management: The Disney Study Tour with Dr. Zhang and Dr. Klink. A fun fact of hers is that she artistically expresses herself through painting her face. Some of her favorite designs have been stitches from the corners of her mouth and the Cheshire Cat. In addition to UIF, Cammi is the vice president of History Club and works at Technology Services.

Benjamin Hunt

Benjamin Hunt is a Finance major from Crofton, Maryland. His favorite class at Loyola was Management with Professor Hubbard. A fun fact of his is that he aspires to run for Congress in the future. Along with UIF, Ben is involved in Microfinance Club, Kairos Retreat Leader, Club Tennis, Sigma Society, and Chapel Choir.

Contact Us

Humanities, Room 150
One flight up the turret entrance
Phone: 410-617-CARE (2273)

Call to schedule an appointment
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

TogetherallKognito

REACT Online

REACT is an online video that explains how to help yourself or someone you care about cope in healthy ways after a distressing life event (such as a trauma, assault, or loss).