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Kappa Kappa Gamma paves way for member accessibility to mental health care

5/27/2021

DUBLIN, Ohio (May 27, 2021) — Kappa Kappa Gamma is dedicated to becoming a powerful advocate for mental health and well-being. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re pleased to announce a partnership with Talkspace, an online platform that makes it convenient to access mental health resources and paves the way for accessible mental health care.

Talkspace has a nationwide network of thousands of therapists, and because therapy is
not one-size-fits-all, Talkspace has finder tools to help members match with an available, expert provider in their area of need. Available to Kappas in the US and Canada, with Talkspace you can regularly send text, audio and video messages to a dedicated licensed therapist — anytime, anywhere. 

The request for mental health and well-being resources came from Kappa members. “We’re thrilled we found an option that we believe meets all of our objectives,” said Fraternity President Gail Owen. “We know the benefits of therapy can assist in fulfilling the need for more access to mental health care. This past year has been challenging for most. It was important to find convenient and affordable access for all Kappas.”

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“We know the benefits of therapy can assist in fulfilling the need for more access to mental health care. This past year has been challenging for most. It was important to find convenient and affordable access for all Kappas.”

- Gail Owen, Fraternity President

To avoid cost barriers for members, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation has provided a grant that makes the service free of charge to collegiate members and provides a discount to alumna members.

Susanne Vander Heyden, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation President, said these services are needed now more than ever.

“In a recent study from the American College Health Association*, more than half of college students surveyed felt things were ‘hopeless’ and nearly one in eight had seriously considered suicide in the previous year,” Susanne said. “Providing funding to bring these essential services to more members shows the strength of our sisterhood and how we can support one another wherever we are on our well-being journey.”

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“In a recent study from the American College Health Association*, more than half of college students surveyed felt things were ‘hopeless’ and nearly one in eight had seriously considered suicide in the previous year. Providing funding to bring these essential services to more members shows the strength of our sisterhood and how we can support one another wherever we are on our well-being journey.”

- Susanne Vander Heyden, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation President

Talkspace is helping individuals turn a corner and start moving toward positive change. They are committed to providing high-quality care to meet individuals’ needs and lifestyles.

“There has been a mounting mental health crisis happening across college campuses, which, unfortunately, has only been exacerbated by the events of this last year,” said Dr. Rachel O’Neill, Ph.D., LPCC-S and Talkspace’s director of clinical effectiveness. “Supporting our college student population has never been more important. We’re thrilled to partner with Kappa Kappa Gamma to make these much-needed mental health resources more accessible to their community.”

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“There has been a mounting mental health crisis happening across college campuses, which, unfortunately, has only been exacerbated by the events of this last year. Supporting our college student population has never been more important. We’re thrilled to partner with Kappa Kappa Gamma to make these much-needed mental health resources more accessible to their community.”

- Dr. Rachel O’Neill, Ph.D., LPCC-S and Talkspace’s director of clinical effectiveness

To access Talkspace, select the appropriate option below to begin registration.

This is the first in a series of steps Kappa is taking to increase focus on mental health and well-being among its membership and within the communities in which they live.

“Now more than ever, we need to expand our focus on mental health and well-being,” Gail said. “Increasing our efforts in this area is another way we are investing in our members while also fulfilling our mission to inspire positive change.”

*Source: American College Health Association Study found here: https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHA-II_SPRING_2019_US_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf

 


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