Doug the Pug Therapy Dog is talking to his little therapy pupper about our green ribbons.
We’re wearing green ribbons this month in solidarity with friends who have mental health challenges.
We’ve come a long way in talking about how we feel, but there’s still a long way to go in terms of acknowledging and respecting our mental health.
In the 1800’s, people with mental health challenges were literally ‘labelled’ as insane. As a ‘warning’ to those around them, green was the colour used to ‘label’ these people.
And, in such times, fathers, brothers and husbands could incarcerate female relatives, indefinitely, into mental health institutions- known as lunatic asylums. I’ve read of women who didn’t like to wear their hair uncomfortably worn tightly in a bun, and of women whose husbands wanted to use their wife’s money without her interfering in its usage. Apparently, at the time, all good reasons to lock away such ‘difficult’ women to protect their public from them.
Beyond belief for most of us here in the UK. But still, sadly, on the radar of many in some cultures.
But, reducing the horrible feelings of loneliness and isolation, that people with genuine mental health challenges often feel, is essential.
Let’s help end the stigma.
Let’s think more like Doug the Pug Therapy Dog. Let’s all think more dog.
🌿💚🌿
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