Kappa Kappa
Gamma Is Bringing New Educational Series to Members
Components
focus on Kappa’s educational pillars of well-being and human dignity
Feb. 20, 2018 –
Kappa Kappa Gamma is proud to announce the addition of a harm-reduction
educational series. The new series is a component of Kappa’s Every Member
Education and includes the Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP), Behind Happy
Faces (a mental health and wellness program), sexual assault prevention
training, and diversity and inclusion training. The courses are led by trained
facilitators and support the organization’s membership expectations and values.
“We are aware
of the unique challenges our members, specifically our collegians, are facing in
today’s world,” Fraternity President Beth Black said. “Through Every Member
Education and the addition of this new educational series, we are providing our
members with relevant and useful tools and resources.”
“Our goal is to
promote awareness and understanding among our membership on these critical topics,”
said Marla Williams, Director of Education and Training. “Through these
conversations, we hope our members will be more informed and confident when making
decisions regarding these challenges.”
Piloted during 2016–17,
ASTP educates members about the effects of alcohol on their bodies and promotes
awareness about the risks associated with drinking. Additionally, a
prescription drug component has been added to the curriculum. By the end of the
2017–18 academic year, more than half of Kappa Kappa Gamma chapters will have
received ASTP.
“ASTP advocates
responsible behavior as a participant, friend, and sister,” Williams said.
“We’re already seeing the impact ASTP is having on our members with 90 percent
of the members who have received this program stating that they learned
something new.”
Currently in
the pilot phase, Behind Happy Faces is a mental health program developed by
author and mental health expert Ross Szabo. The program educates members about mental
health, coping skills, suicide prevention, and how to be a friend to someone in
need of help. In addition to the in-person training, online courses are available
to all members, including adviser-specific courses. Additionally, a mental
health assessment tool on Kappa’s website is available to members as well as the
general public. In the 2018–19 academic year, over 50 chapters will receive the
Behind Happy Faces in-person training.
“The statistics
on mental health are overwhelming,” Williams said. “One in five adults has a
mental health condition. We want to provide our members of all ages with the
skills they need to manage their mental health and support those who have a
mental health condition.”
Kappa plans to
add sexual assault prevention training to the education series in fall 2018 and
a diversity and inclusion component in 2019.
With support
from the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, every collegiate member will receive
this educational series as part of her Kappa experience.