Green Ribbon Campaign
The Green Ribbon Campaign is Shine’s largest and most high-profile annual campaign. It is a key opportunity for us to lead the way on stigma reduction around mental illness in Ireland. More than a campaign, we are working to develop it as a social movement that highlights our shared responsibility to destigmatise mental health and foster a more compassionate and supportive society.
While the campaign runs throughout the year, we have designated September as the focus month for campaign awareness-raising events and activities. We promote the wearing of the green ribbon, a symbol of solidarity, encouraging us all to engage in open conversations and break down the barriers surrounding mental illness.
The Green Ribbon Campaign is Shine’s largest and most high-profile annual campaign. It is a key opportunity for us to lead the way on stigma reduction around mental illness in Ireland. More than a campaign, we are working to develop it as a social movement that highlights our shared responsibility to destigmatise mental health and foster a more compassionate and supportive society.
While the campaign runs throughout the year, we have designated September as the focus month for campaign awareness-raising events and activities. We promote the wearing of the green ribbon, a symbol of solidarity, encouraging us all to engage in open conversations and break down the barriers surrounding mental illness.
How our Green Ribbon Campaign is funded
The lead funder for the Green Ribbon Campaign is the National Office for Suicide Prevention. We also are supported by donations from the St John of God University Hospital and the public.
How the campaign aligns to Connecting for Life strategy
Connecting for Life is Ireland's national strategy to prevent suicide. It is a cross sectoral strategy with 69 actions under seven strategic goals. The Green Ribbon Campaign strongly aligns to Connecting for Life Goal’s 1 and 3.
Connecting for Life Goal 1:
To improve the nation’s understanding of and attitudes to suicidal behaviour, mental health and wellbeing.
Connecting for Life Goal 2:
To improve the implementation of effective approaches to reducing suicidal behaviour among priority groups.
2024 Green Ribbon Campaign Launch
Green Ribbon Campaign 2025
Following the very successful official online launch of our Green Ribbon Campaign 2025 on 26th August, which had an attendance of 200 people, including our corporate partners and other key partner supporters, the campaign is now well underway.
A crew of 30 Shine staff and volunteers attended Electric Picnic, working a combined 24 hours over the three days engaging with festival-goers, raising awareness of the campaign, and distributing green ribbons, wristbands, temporary green ribbon tattoos and talking cards to encourage support of the campaign.
Over 12,000 wristbands were distributed, 2,500 green ribbons, 3,000 tattoos and 500 information cards.
In the weeks ahead a wide range of events are planned, including workplace talks, community get-togethers and activities such as coffee mornings and walks.
- Over 30 talks are planned by our lived experience Ambassadors. 5,000 Barrys Tea 'Time to Talk' envelopes are being distributed to community groups.
- We are also hosting a series of free lunchtime webinars on Microsoft Teams every Wednesday in September from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Each 60-minute session will explore key issues in mental health stigma with expert speakers and Shine Ambassadors, offering insights, lived experience and practical ways we can all help end stigma. Find out more and register here.
- We will be hosting a coffee morning in partnership with An Post in the GPO on Tuesday, 9th September
- We’ll be at Heuston Station on Wednesday, 10th, World Suicide Prevention Day, handing out information cards, leaflets and ribbons and speaking with the travelling public.
- We’ll also be in attendance at the National Ploughing Championships again this year, 16th-18th September at Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
- We’ll have a stand at Freshers Week in UCC on September 15th and we are working with AMLÉ (Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn), the national representative body for the more than 360,000 affiliated students in third level education in Ireland, on including information, green ribbons and wristbands in their Freshers packs.
Ribbons are available through An Post, Eir, Boots, Irish Rail and Dunnes Stores or use the special order form here on our website to get yours.
Another highlight of the campaign is the 35+ landmark buildings in Dublin and around the country lighting up in green in solidarity with the campaign and our aim of reducing stigma around mental health. Look out for such iconic buildings as the Four Courts, Dublin Castle, the National Concert Hall, National Library, National Gallery and National Museum, Dublin Airport, Collins Barracks and the St. Stephen’s Green Wolfe Tone monument in Dublin and Cork City Hall, Limerick and Galway Civic Offices and Athlone railway bridge, among others.
There is still plenty of time to organise an event in your community, workplace or among friends. Use this link for more information on how to become involved, to get your supporters pack and order your free green ribbons: https://www.shine.ie/advocacy/green-ribbon-campaign
Shine’s Policy Submissions
The Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism in Ireland
Founded in 1996, the highly competitive Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism awards year long, non-residential fellowships to journalists from the United States, Colombia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to report on a mental health topic of their choice. In 2023, Shine’s Headline programme, in partnership with the Carter Center, proudly announced the rollout of this prestigious fellowship in Ireland through the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism in the Republic of Ireland.
Find out more
Mental Health Media Awards
Shine works closely with the media to promote responsible and accurate reporting on mental health. Through guidance, training, and collaboration, Shine helps journalists and media professionals understand the impact of stigma and misinformation while encouraging coverage that is respectful and informed.
Find out more
Green Ribbon Order Form
To order your FREE Green Ribbons, please fill out this form with your order details:
