Mental Health

Throughout Pi Kappa Alpha’s health & safety efforts, we encourage members and volunteers to do the right thing. When addressing perceived mental health concerns, use care as your guiding principle in framing conversations.

There are many reasons people experience anxiety, hopelessness, or other distress. Whatever the reason, getting help sooner rather than later can help prevent more serious problems down the road. Remember that you are not a mental health professional, so we recommend seeking guidance and support, whether it is you or someone else who is experiencing distress. Starting with your Campus Counseling Services is always a good idea. Most campuses offer students counseling services for little or no cost. You can search for “counseling center” on your campus website or call the health center and ask how to get in touch with counseling services. Counseling services often include consultation support as well for members who are seeking guidance on how to help someone else.

Below are resources that you can use to educate yourself and find information and support.

  • Physical Health & Wellness

  • Alcohol

  • Drugs

  • Sexual Violence Prevention

  • Anti-Hazing

  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

  • Request a Health & Safety Visit

The You Can help a Brother workshop designed in partnership with the JED Foundation teaches members how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health distress in peers or within themselves. Facilitators may include chapter consultants, Health & Safety Advisors, or Health & Safety Officers.  https://pikes.org/health/mentalhealth/2021fhsi/

Get help: Crisis and Counseling Resources

Crisis Resources and Helplines

PIKE Lifeline, by the Jed Foundation, provides a comprehensive, confidential, online resource center where college students can feel comfortable searching for information regarding mental and emotional health. It includes:

  • Self-Evaluator, a self-administered screening for thirteen common mental health conditions (note that, while confidential, the tool requires you to select your school in order to complete it, and not all schools are included in their database).
  • Get Help Now, which lists hotlines for an array of issues; enables users to search for resources on their campus (note that not all schools are included); and provides resources by topic.
  • Help a Friend, including how to tell if a friend is struggling, how to talk to a friend who is struggling, and other topics.
  • Wellness topics, including sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress management & relaxation, and connectedness & healthy relationships.
  • The Facts about 11 mental health issues, including stress, emotional health, and several mental health diagnoses.

Mental health resource center for emotional health and well-being

This resource by the Jed Foundation has several sections, including:

  • What to do if you face several specific situations in these two categories:
    • I’m worried about someone (lists 10 situations, e.g., someone I know may be at risk of suicide, a friend seems really down and may be depressed, I’m worried about someone but I’m not sure if there’s cause for concern, I’ve offered help to someone but they don’t want to accept it)
    • I’m worried about myself (lists 7 situations, e.g., I’m having thoughts of suicide, I’m feeling down, I’d like some tips to manage stress and anxiety, I’m worried my alcohol/substance use may be problematic)
  • Emotional well-being, e.g., building positive relationships, managing stress, mindfulness, and sleep.
  • I want to learn about… (lists 13 topics, e.g., ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, self-harm)

Other resources: Educate yourself and others about mental health and suicide awareness

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, there are options to help you cope. The following resources are confidential and operate 24/7. You can also contact these resources if you are worried about a friend or loved one.

  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the website to chat. The website also includes helpful information about suicide as well as stories of hope and recovery.
  • Crisis Text Line is the only 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline. Text START to 741-741.
  • Mood disturbances represent only some of the prevalent mental health issues experienced by college students. Others include serious problems like suicide, eating disorders, and addiction. Mental health professionals stress the importance of talking about such issues, but as students you may consider these stresses a normal part of college life. This guide contains information to help you identify potential mental health issues and locate valuable community resources whether for yourself or a friend.
Have questions or need more information? Email us at healthandsafety@pikes.org.