Green Ribbon Month 2020 is now online due to COVID-19

Green Ribbon Month 2020 is going online due to COVID-19. Pictured above is Amanda Clifford and Richard Lynch during Green Ribbon Month 2017. Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick.

Green Ribbon Month 2020 is now online due to COVID-19

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Sophia DiBattista

Instead of completely canceling Limerick’s Green Ribbon Month 2020, Amanda Clifford, SeeChange and A.B.C. for Mental Health have decided to recognise the month online to abide by social distancing restrictions.

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Green Ribbon Month has been an annual, month-long event since 2014. Its aim is to prevent the stigma surrounding mental health difficulties and highlight positive attitudes towards everyone’s mental wellbeing. Locales all over the county have been participating by wearing green ribbons or by using green lights to promote the campaign such as the University of Limerick’s Living bridge.

The primary organiser, Amanda Clifford, has taken to online means for this year’s recognition of the month. To continue the strong support system and participation from the public, she is asking people to share their definition of what Green Ribbon month means to them. For the 31 days in May, Amanda has asked 31 people to share a personal message to the event’s FaceBook page about the meaning of Green Ribbon Month, which can take the form of a video and written message. 

Anyone can join in on the fun as well. Amanda welcomes all members of the public to share their experiences. 

A.B.C. for Mental Health is working through Facebook to provide a unique, exciting experience for everyone participating in Green Ribbon Month 2020.

Amanda is also requesting the participants to use the hashtag #WeAreGreenRibbon and to tag A.B.C. for Mental Health. She also contacted 60 local artists and asked them to share their artwork in the Green Ribbon Art Exhibition. Two pieces of art will be shared per day.

Amanda explained her reasoning behind the online celebration saying, “I came up with this initiative because Green Ribbon is all about connecting and sharing. So I asked 31 people around Limerick and Munster to say what Green Ribbon means to them, to share their message and their story in the hope it will help others.”

“Our hashtag is #WeAreGreenRibbon. We are working as a team. We are connected, we are reaching out. So I’m asking the public to hashtag #WeAreGreenRibbon and #StayConnected. Everybody can put something online,” she said, “Share a message. Explain what is working in lockdown,” Amanda continued.

During the lockdown, everyone’s mental health is being affected, whether people reside with others or by themselves. Amanda commented on the mental prowess people have during this time saying, “A lot of people as the lockdown continues are getting more resilient. Their coping skills are getting better and better. They are asking questions like what can they do to make myself well, how can I keep myself occupied. A lot of people are being very creative and reaching out to their loved ones a bit more.”

In addition to the Facebook posts and initiative, Amanda has started up a GoFundMe page to assist in the funding for the month’s advertisements. On the page, Amanda said, “We will be doing 2 events pages for the 31 days of May and need funding for advertising A.B.C. for Mental Health Green Ribbon Month 2020. The green ribbon is all about connecting and sharing and it is so important to stay connected in these uncertain times. Alone we can do little, together we can do so much!”

Let us all do our part and keep this lovely event going! #WeAreGreenRibbon #GreenRibbonMonth2020 #31for31days

To donate to their GoFundMe page, click here.

For more information on Green Ribbon Month, click here.

For more stories on Green Ribbon Month, click here.