Diversity | Empowerment | Learning | Teamwork | Advocacy
Δelta Κappa Ξi Sorority Inc.
Delta Kappa Xi is dedicated to bringing to light to a very important cause: mental health awareness. There is a stigma in our community about mental illness so people choose to deal quietly and not seek support or treatment. We are often seen as weak or “crazy” and told to pray about it or it will go away soon. Some of us with mental health diagnoses are afraid to open up at the risk of being doubted or criticized.
We are conditioned to take care of our bodies when we fall ill, or take care of our cars when the check engine light comes on. However, we tend to ignore the symptoms of mental distress when they rear their ugly heads. It’s time to take off the masks and talk. There is a much-needed dialogue for mental health awareness and Delta Kappa Xi is here to start the conversation.
From now through December, DKX will be dedicated to sharing mental health facts along with websites and contact information for anyone looking for guidance or information. Each week the Diamonds of DKX will highlight a different mental health disorder in hopes to educate our community. We are looking forward to the conversation with you. Are you ready to take off your mask and talk?
What are our goals?
What is Mental Health?
Host mental health screening events.
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Talk about it.
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Share your story. Have you personally struggled or currently struggle with mental illness? Don’t hesitate to tell friends and family about it. Your story can encourage others to ask for help.
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Encourage non-judgmental speech. Try to educate those around you on how to talk about mental illness. Never use words like “crazy” or “insane” as insults.
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Read about it. Educate yourself about mental illness and suicide. Learn about the signs and symptoms and where to receive help in your area.
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Talk to loved ones about how they are feeling. Regularly check in with those close to you, especially if you know they are dealing with a mental illness.
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Talk about mental health with your children.
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Distribute educational information from Screening for Mental Health. explain mental health issues and encourage awareness.
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Share mental health screening sites like (HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org) on social media. Facebook and Twitter are great places to spread mental health awareness.
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Spread the word about Screening for Mental Health’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
How can I help?
While there is debate over how to define mental illness, it is generally accepted that mental illnesses are real and involve disturbances of thought, experience, and emotion serious enough to cause functional impairment in people, making it more difficult for them to sustain interpersonal relationships and carry on their jobs, and sometimes leading to self-destructive behavior and even suicide.
The most serious mental illnesses, such as:
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schizophrenia
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bipolar disorder
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major depression,
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schizo affective disorder
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PTSD etc.
