I'm Kristin Melton, and I am a Green Ribbon Advocate. What's a Green Ribbon Advocate? It's a title for anyone who wants to show support for the children's mental health cause -- and that's what I am all about!
The National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health embraced the green ribbon symbol several years ago to begin a nationwide campaign to bring awareness to an issue that affects 1 in 5 children. As an Executive Board Member and National Spokesperson for the organization, I have worked to share this campaign and have stressed that if you are wearing or displaying the FFCMH green ribbon symbol, then you are a Green Ribbon Advocate too!
Sharing the children's mental health message is a big part of who I am. It's important to me because of the work I do as a therapist, but most importantly because I'm a mom and I want to make sure that my children have all the benefits and personal awareness of good mental health care.
Paying attention to your brain is just as important as going to the dentist or seeing your physician for your annual health physical. In fact, I believe that one of the largest stigma battles we face with mental health is the belief that if you "try hard enough" to overcome them, the symptoms will just disappear. Imagine telling a diabetic that! We wouldn't, of course, but with mental health it is said all the time. It's time for that to stop. The best way that I know of to share that message is of course through the green ribbon, but also by educating our youngest generation with the facts so that they grow up to be conscious of the importance of mental health care -- not ashamed, or blamed.
This blog is dedicated to all things mental health and I hope that you will look around at the various resources and information that is provided. Visit "Kristin's Blog" above for commentary on children's mental health news and events, and my "Mrs. Midwest 2013" blog for the various appearances and campaigns promoted throughout our communities.
I hope you will display a green ribbon somewhere at sometime and consider yourself a green ribbon advocate too!
Find out more about the FFCMH
Why Green for CMH?
In the 1800's the color green was used to brand people who were labeled "insane". The children's mental health community decided to continue using the color green, but with a completely different focus. Green signifies new life, new growth, and new beginnings. Therefore, green ribbons are worn to raise public awareness to better the lives of children and youth with serious emotional disorders. Please show your support of these children and their families.
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