The flowers and chocolates have been sent, and February, the month known for love, is coming to an end. Soon March will begin, and four leaf clovers, leprechauns, and rainbows with a pot of gold will cover store shelves in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day. Stores are shifting from colors pink and red, to green.
Green is associated with March because of the holiday St. Patrick’s Day. Many of us are familiar with that surprising pinch received after mistakenly forgetting to wear green on this day. Though green has a tight relationship with St. Patrick’s Day and March, it also has another meaning, especially in the field of mental health.
Green is the color used for awareness in mental health. It is a symbol for mental illnesses, bipolar disorder and depression. Green symbolizes the continual awareness of mental health in order to help fight the stigma that is often associated it. Who can forget NFL football player Brandon Marshall strutting onto the field in bright green shoes this past October in the New York Giants and Chicago Bears game? Marshall continually explained to the public that the buzz created because of his shoes was well worth the fine received because of his uniform violation.
As we enter March and prepare our homes and wardrobes for St. Patty’s Day, I challenge you to think about the deeper meaning of this color. Wear your green proudly this month, and help to build awareness around mental health, which affects millions of people. Share with just one person what this color green also represents. Create your own little buzz.
FAQs
Friday 13th May is 'Wear it Green Day' in aid of Mental Health Awareness Week. The spotlight 2022 is 'Loneliness'.
What is the green color for mental health awareness? ›
Green is often associated with concepts like new life, renewal, and growth in nature. This symbolism is intended to represent the idea that people with mental health challenges can experience recovery, healing, and personal growth.
Why are people wearing green today in America? ›
Green is the national color of mental health acceptance, representing hope, strength, support, and encouragement for people who live with mental illness. Show support and recognition of Mental Health Month by: Wearing something green at least once a week throughout May.
Why wear green for mental health? ›
According to the Mental Health Foundation, green is the international symbol for mental health awareness. Such bright colours show colleagues, friends, family and strangers that we are thinking about the mental health of ourselves and those around us.
What day is the day to wear green? ›
In the United States, people usually wear green on St. Patrick's Day. If a person does not wear green, they could be pinched. The reason you get pinched is because if you don't wear green then you aren't invisible to Leprechauns.
What does wearing green mean today? ›
Green is also associated with renewal and hope, but at the same time, it's also the color of money and wealth, so wearing it can suggest that the person is prosperous or aspires to be. It can also indicate a sense of stability and security.
What color is anxiety? ›
Results. The circular presentation of colors was most favoured (Color Wheel). Yellow was the most 'drawn to' color and blue the commonest 'favourite' color in all subjects. Yellow was most often associated with a normal mood and grey with an anxious or depressed mood.
What color is for mental illness? ›
The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness. Wear a green ribbon to show colleagues, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their mental health.
What color represents schizophrenia? ›
Because schizophrenia is a complex condition with numerous underlying causes, no single colour or symbol can fully capture all of its complexities. In addition, not everyone who has schizophrenia may associate their condition with the colour purple. Sufferers of schizophrenia may also report a range of experiences.
Why are so many people wearing green? ›
Dressing in green on St. Patrick's can trace its roots to leprechaun legends, as well as a sign of Irish defiance. Each year on St. Patrick's Day, tens of thousands of Americans add green to their outfits, even if they can't trace their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle.
Green is used as a liturgical color during the weeks known as Ordinary Time. Generally, this period of time occurs from the end of the Christmas season until the beginning of Lent, and from the end of the Easter season until the beginning of Advent.
What is the story behind The Wearing of the Green? ›
"The Wearing of the Green" is an Irish street ballad lamenting the repression of supporters of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It is to an old Irish air, and many versions of the lyric exist, the best-known being by Dion Boucicault. The song proclaims that "they are hanging men and women for the wearing of the green".
Is green good for depression? ›
Studies have shown that spending time in green spaces can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower levels of stress hormones, improve mood, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. This blog will delve deeper into the benefits of spending time in green spaces and nature for mental health.
Why is green good for anxiety? ›
Exposure to green environments has been shown to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for relaxation and recovery. Green environments also promote physical activity, which is known to have positive effects on mental health.
What is the power of wearing green? ›
Wearing green increases the potential for optimism and problem-solving. And as we all know, in nature, green is a sign of health, growth, and nourishment. Green hues feed relationship harmony, and are particularly helpful in keeping marriages and other heartfelt unions together.
Why are they wearing green today? ›
The green ribbon is the symbol of mental health awareness.
Why green is so popular now? ›
Green is nature, the planet, the environment. That wearing green once marked your card as a little left of centre but no longer does is a basic signifier of the blindingly obvious – that we now take green stuff seriously.
Why do we wear green on this day? ›
Patrick's Day is tied to Irish folklore. It is said that wearing green makes one invisible to leprechauns, the mischievous fairy creatures of Irish mythology.
