Mental health is one of the top concerns on today's campuses, and Alpha Chi Omega recognizes the need for educational experiences that engage our members in thi critical topic. A recent survey on behalf of the American College Health Association indicated that in the past year, three out of five students experienced overwhelming anxiety and two out of five students were too depressed to function.
As members continue to experience mental health challenges like unhealthy stress, anxiety and depression, Alpha Chi Omega continues to be a leading organization providing its members developmental programs to facilitate meaningful conversations around mental health.
ENCOURAGING MENTAL WELLNESS DURING COVID-19
- Maintaining Your Emotional Health while Compassionately Approaching Future Transitions with Your Chapters
- Anxiety in the Time of COVID-19
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Sleep, Self-Care, and Sharing a Productive, Healthy Indoor Environment: Everything Students Need to Know about Mental Health during COVID-19
- Student Chat: Student-Led Mental Health Advocacy in an Era of Physical Distancing
- Communicating in Quarantine: Tips to Encourage Mental Wellness in Close Quarters
During COVID-19, we acknowledge that students are navigating a unique transition to online education and virtual connections. While balancing these experiences, it is important that members are also taking care of their emotional well-being. Here are a few resources to help:
- Visit ULifeline.org/stay_well to access wellness resources on sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress management, relaxation and connectedness.
- Explore apps that assist with meditation, self-reflection, sleep or relaxation, such as Headspace, 10 Percent Happier, InsightTimer and Calm.
- Find ways to be physically active. Go for a walk, download a fitness app or watch a YouTube channel that helps you stay active from home.
- Connect virtually! We know that human connection is a critical contributor for positive emotional well-being. Check out these suggestions from our partners at Active Minds.
- Organize a virtual game night with friends and family.
- Get that phone out and make a TikTok with a sister.
- Gather supplies for a DIY project and create something together.
- Download a fitness app and start a friendly workout competition.
- Host a Bob Ross virtual paint night.
- Schedule a video chat and go for an outdoor walk together.
- Keep your routine! Make a schedule that will keep you on track to achieve your objectives and daily goals.
- Want to watch something on Netflix? Grab some popcorn and FaceTime or call a sister and watch your favorite show or movie together.
Should you or a friend need to talk to someone, please text “START” to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with someone from the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for emotional support.
If you or a friend need resources to help a young person of color, text "STEVE" to 741-741 to access a culturally trained counselor or visit The Steve Fund.
The JED Foundation
A Commitment to Collegiate Health
Alpha Chi Omega provides our collegiate members with information about mental health and wellness through its partnership with The Jed Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote emotional health among college and university students. The Gatekeeper Training through The Jed Foundation is tailored to teach collegiate executive board officers how to be gatekeepers, members of the campus community who are in a position to help students who may be struggling with mental health.
In September 2014, Alpha Chi Omega became the first National Panhellenic Conference organization to affiliate with The Jed Foundation, joining men’s fraternities Sigma Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon in reaching college students on this important topic.
Read the partnership announcement.
Available Resources
In an effort to assist collegiate chapters and advisors with honest conversations regarding mental health, Alpha Chi Omega has established a partnership with Ross Szabo, author of Behind Happy Faces, to create a groundbreaking curriculum focused on preparing members and advisors for managing mental health in the collegiate setting. For collegiate members, we provide four lessons to peer-facilitate using cutting-edge educational videos and lesson plans to enhance emotional development. Here are the learning outcomes for each lesson:
Lesson One:
Lesson Two:
Lesson Three
Lesson Four
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Indicate actions that are helpful to approach a friend, sister or family member who needs help
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Recognize the differences between what a friend can do and what can only be done by a mental health professional
- Name the steps to take when a sister is experiencing harmful thoughts
For advisors, we provide five engaging workshops that review similar topics as the collegiate series, but through the lens of a volunteer who supports members. Workshops will help define mental health and break down the stigmas surrounding it, open doors for more vocabulary to discuss it with others, teach about effective coping and help you help members who are experiencing mental health challenges.
Through our Harm Reduction Alliance partnership with Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Nu and Zeta Tau Alpha, we are excited to announce our recent collaboration with Active Minds. Read the partnership announcement here. 
This collaboration introduces Active Minds’ everyday guide for everyday challenges: Validate, Appreciate, Refer (V-A-R). V-A-R is an easy way to show up for a friend, helping them cope when they may be having more than a bad day. Members can access the full-length video and conversation starter in the VP Risk Management page of the Resource Center. Use the video and V-A-R conversation starter to learn how to listen in a way that lets someone know they’re being heard and that they are not alone. Remember:
- Validate their feelings. Let them know what they’re feeling is okay and that you believe them.
- Appreciate their courage. Speaking up can be a challenging step. Show you are there to support them by saying, “You are not alone” or “I’m here for you.”
- Refer them to skills and support. Let them know help is available. You can do this by sharing, “Could we schedule a video chat and walk so we can see each other while we get some fresh air?” Or “I think it might be helpful to talk to someone. I can stay on the phone with you while you text/call a hotline.”
National Resources
Want to know more about national resources or how to help a sister in need? The following is a list of organizations that can help with specific types of mental health disorders or challenges. Please remember that these resources do not supplement referring a friend to a mental health professional.