may is MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
May is recognized annually as Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) to amplify awareness of mental health challenges, promote personal well-being and foster the emotional health of others. During MHAM, members are provided advocacy resources, mental health programming, self-care practices and wellness tools to cultivate their mental health. Join Alpha Chi Omega this month as we foster a sisterhood of care through learning how to talk about mental health and discuss emotional well-being. By checking in with yourself and others around you, you positively contribute to the mental health movement.
This year, Alpha Chi Omega is empowering sisters to check in with their mental health and learn how to engage in conversations about mental wellness using A.S.K. (Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch). A.S.K. is Active Minds’ “stop, drop and roll” tool for providing emotional support to those who may need it most. Explore all the ways you can help start a conversation about mental health with your sisters!
Mental Health Action Day
May 15
Established in 2021, Mental Health Action Day was founded to shift from awareness to action on mental health. As an initiative powered by MTV Entertainment Group (MTVE), this day is dedicated to empowering individuals to advocate for their own mental well-being while supporting others taking steps to improve their emotional health.
WAYS TO check-in on MENTAL HEALTH ACTION DAY
It only takes one honest conversation to create impact! No action is too big or small when it comes talking about mental health and asking others about their well-being. Plan and consider these action ideas to take on Mental Health Action Day to show someone you care:
- Call a friend
- Schedule a meet-up
- Go for a walk with each other
- Invite someone to an event
- Send them an encouraging text
- Attend a fitness class together
- Make a meal with someone
- Try out a new shared hobby
creating a sisterhood of care
Being prepared and ready to talk about mental health is a skill that requires practice. Because mental health is more than small talk – it’s an act of support. Check out our printable resources for MHAM including a flyer with common signs of concerning mental health behavior and another flyer promoting how to support friends and loved ones with the A.S.K. tool.
talking about mental health
The Chords of Harmony program is Alpha Chi Omega’s signature mental health curriculum designed to strengthen collegiate members’ ability to manage their emotional well-being and foster a supportive culture of care. Check out the newest lesson, A.S.K. a Sister, which focuses on educating members about A.S.K. as a framework for support and encouraging sisters to use this approach when talking to someone who needs a mental health check-in.
A.S.K. a Sister Facilitator Guide
A.S.K. a Sister PowerPoint
MEMBERS CAN ACCESS ALL CHORDS OF HARMONY LESSON IN THE RESOURCE CENTER.
All lesson includes a facilitation guide, participant guide and PowerPoint to assist collegians in leading conversations with sisters. Each lesson is designed to be facilitated as a 30- to 45-minute chapter-wide workshop, chapter program or small group discussion. The lessons are adaptable and can be facilitated in any order to meet members where they are in their mental health journey.
why #AXOMENTALHEALTHMATTERS
Open conversations about mental health and well-being, help develop deeper connections and build stronger bonds with others. Use the AXΩ Connection Cards to foster healthy relationships and explore your mental health on a personal level.
Promote mental health by hanging the “Take What You Need” flyer in your chapter facility, across your campus or in your community!
Mental health is connected to physical health. Listen to Alpha Chi Omega’s Mental Health Playlist while you work or exercise to boost your mood.
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Take a mental health break with Alpha Chi Omega’s coloring pages. Choose from seven different designs!
Use your social network to share the importance of mental health. Check out the Instagram and Facebook assets available in the MHAM Google Drive to show your support and raise awareness about mental wellness.
SHARE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Share your mental health programming with us! Whether it’s a wellness workshop, mindfulness activity or de-stress event, your ideas can inspire other to act and champion emotional well-being. Tag Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters (@AlphaChiOmegaHQ) for the chance to be highlighted during MHAM this year!
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Understanding the difference between a mental health crisis and a mental health emergency is an important distinction when it comes to emotional distress. Use this document as an educational tool to help members recognize early warning signs of a mental health crisis, implement mental health crisis de-escalation techniques and determine when to escalate mental health emergencies to support services.
Want to know more about how to help a sister, loved one or get support you need? This resource provides a list of organizations that support different mental health needs. You can also use these resources to locate a licensed mental health professional in your local area.
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE
HELP IS HERE FOR YOU
One call, text or chat can be a lifesaving step for those experiencing a mental health crisis. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) if you or a loved one is in mental health distress, a substance use emergency or suicide crisis. The Lifeline offers 24/7, free and confidential support, prevention and crisis resources from its national network of local crisis centers and trained professionals.
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.
If you or a friend need resources to help a person who identifies as LGBTQ, text "START" to 678-678 to access counselors trained to support LGBTQ communities or visit The Trevor Project.
PARTNERSHIPS
Active Minds – the nation’s premier nonprofit organization for young adult mental health awareness and education – partners with Alpha Chi Omega on mental health curricula and awareness initiatives aimed at creating healthy spaces for authentic conversation about emotional health. Alpha Chi Omega’s collaboration with Active Minds allows for the development of mental health tools and educational resources to foster healthy mental well-being for our members.