DeKalb County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and NAMI DeKalb Address Mental Health among African-Americans

The National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) DeKalb and Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. recently hosted a community forum to discuss mental health and address how the African-American population is affected by mental illness. This event featured a panel from NAMI DeKalb board members Terrisita Terry and Angela Waltower who provided insight on cultural views, explaining how African-Americans often times don’t like being associated with mental illness. They discussed contributing factors leading to mental illness including stress, and provided techniques and strategies to live a stress-free life. Attendees also enjoyed free seated massages from licensed therapists.

The Office of Minority Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported in 2016 that African-Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than adult Caucasians; African-Americans living below the poverty line are three times more likely to report serious psychological distress than those living above poverty; African-Americans are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness than are adult Caucasians; and African-American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than Caucasian teenagers.

“Lambda Epsilon Omega was proud to partner with NAMI to host a forum for DeKalb County residents directly addressing an issue facing our community that most times is a taboo topic,” said Betty Stuckey, President of the chapter. “We want to send a clear message to our community that residents facing depression and other mental illnesses should not suffer in silence. We will continue to work with local organizations to inform residents about resources available to assist them.”

In 2015, NAMI and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® launched a partnership to expand mental health education, awareness, and support activities on the campuses of colleges and universities and in local communities. The partnership enables NAMI, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, and Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nation's oldest sorority founded by African American college-trained women, to prepare new volunteer leaders for the future and reach broader constituencies as part of a growing movement to address unmet mental health needs.