East Providence Youth Graduate ‘The Bandana Project’ In East Providence and Surrounding Communities

On Monday, February 26th, 5 members of the youth community were recognized for The Bandana Project. The East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC) awarded certificates of training to the youth and they received green bandanas.

The Bandana Project is a mental health awareness and suicide prevention campaign that uses backpacks and bandanas to support peers in getting help. From prompts for everyday conversations to providing links to suicide prevention trainings, The Bandana Project works against stigma and reinforces solidarity in mental health awareness. Members of the program tie a lime green bandana to their backpack, which signifies that they carry national and local mental health and suicide prevention resources. This program works against the societal stigma associated with mental illness and creates a more supportive community. Having a bandana means that you are willing to have a conversation about mental health concerns and shows that it is normal to get help for your mental health.

Youth members went through a two hour modified course of “Stronger Together,” a mental health awareness training, funded by the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH). They were interviewed and had to supply adult references, attesting to their abilities to handle a project like this. Each member also carries a business card, identifying themselves and resources available to someone in need.

The following students were honored:

Avery Creighton, Jayna Gomez, Joshua Gomez, Kayden Oldham, and Morgan Paiva.

Adult advisor, Bethanie Rado congratulated the recipients and concluded their awards with the sentiments, “I am incredibly proud of the young men and women that you see here tonight. They recognized an opportunity to collectively make their community better and in turn embraced the ability to really make a difference. East Providence and our surroundings communities are better because you are in them.”

EPPC also distributed honorary green bandanas to the following adult supports in the youths’ schools and communities that have the knowledge, ability and compassion to demonstrate everything The Bandana Project stands for:

Rachel Hamel, Student Assistance Councilor at Riverside Middle School
Tommy Joyce, Director of Recovery Support Services East Bay Recovery Center
George O’Toole, Associate Director of Recovery Support Services at East Bay Recovery Center
Sean Palumbo, Youth Stronger Together Trainer
Steve Eiland, East Bay MHAT Grant Director & Stronger Together Trainer

The community is encouraged to recognize this accomplishment and support the Bandana Project. If you see someone wearing a green bandana on their bag, know that he/she/they is (are) a resource to you. These bandanas mean that you are not alone, that you matter and your feelings are valid. They mean that someone is here to listen.

To find out more about the Bandana Project, you can email brado@eastprovidenceri.gov  or call 401.527.7008

If you are interested in youth, adult or senior mental health awareness training classes, you can learn more at https://eastbayprevention.org/mental-health-awareness-trainings/