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THE UNDERGRADUATES CONVENE Led by Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Cross and Grand Board Members Raxton, Earls and Garcia
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UNDERGRADUATE AFFAIRS EDITION
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200 + CONVENE inTampa UNDERGRADUATE NEWS M ore than 200 undergradu- ate members from around the country convened with Grand Polemarch Thomas • Meeting Kappa Compliance Pres- entation brothers had the opportunity to pre- sent a panel of some of the top mental health professionals and therapists in the nation who noted the importance of maintaining a positive state of mind.
In working with alumni members, Province Polemarchs and the Execu- tive Committee, the brothers were able to make significant progress in their preparation to continue enhancing the communities they serve. Because of this, they deemed the Undergraduate Summit a major success. Outside of working through internal issues, the Undergraduate Summit also invested in members by exposing them to several speakers with subject matter expertise. The speakers imparted their wisdom and experiences in an edifying manner. For example, Brothers David A. Chris- tian, Senior Vice President from Regions Bank Corporate, and J.B. McGinnis presented on the importance of finan- cial literacy. Christian and McGinnis explained the values of being financially stable and understanding how to invest your money to grow generational wealth. The undergraduates also heard from Ms. Sydney Brunson, Diversity Programs Manager and Chief of Staff, Inclusion & Diversity at Pinterest. Ms. Brunson highlighted the importance of a great work ethic, grade point average and networking skills. Ms. Brunson relayed her own life expe- riences to highlight the ways in which these situations allowed her to reach the success that she has attained very early in her career.
L. Battles, Jr. and Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Christopher Gross present to oversee this historic event, which was held during the 14 th Annual National Founders' Day weekend A primary objective of the Summit was for undergraduate members to work through internal issues facing Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Having so many undergraduates in one room allowed the opportunity for the brothers to think through these internal issues from many diverse perspectives. Throughout the time at the Undergradu- ate Summit, not only were these inter- nal issues discussed, but also they were clothed in an open dialogue in which brothers attempted to get to the heart of the issues rather than just scratching the surface. Other features of the Summit were: • Mental Health Panel • Financial Literacy Presentation • Created first anti-hazing certifica- tion for Undergraduate Summit participants • Holmes & Murphy Insurance Pres- entation • University Presidents Panel Discus- sion • The Endless Cycle of Hazing Pres- entation • Title IX Today Presentation
The mental health panel presented the information from an undergraduate pro- spective, allowing the undergraduates to better understand the importance of mental health, especially for others who often have high stress levels from col- lege and life matriculation. Eight presidents of Historic Black Col- leges and Universities (HBCUs) partici- pated in a panel discussion. This elite panel shared their concerns about Greek letter organizations on their campuses, and various actions that have been taken to keep fraternities on their respective campuses. “Our undergraduate admin- istration vows to continue to reassert Kappa's relevance in an era where more Afri- can American voices must be heard. We will utilize our unique perspectives and skill sets in order to do work that moves the fraternity forward.” —Christopher Cross
The Undergraduate Summit
Opposite page: Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Christopher Cross.
During the Undergraduate Summit
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K appa Alpha Psi’s 14 th Annual National Founders' Day Obser- vance gave birth to the Inau- gural Undergraduate Summit. Friday, January 4, 2019, day two of the Undergraduate Summit was quite gratify- ing as it was overflowing with an all-star lineup of leaders from around the nation. Day two of the Undergraduate Summit featured the University Presidents Panel (UPP) which was met with immense curiosity and great expectations from our undergraduate members of Kappas primarily because of the philosophical diversity of the panelists, nature and top- ics of the panel discussion. The dialogue between the brothers on the panel and our undergraduate broth- ers was existential and provocative based upon the complexities and transformative dynamics within the various iterations of the initiation process. Safeguarding our fraternity, maintaining, sustaining and establishing a paradigm designed to preserve Kappa for the arrival of its bicentennial was the underlying objective and perspective of both the panelists and the undergraduates in at- tendance. Danish Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard declared “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived for- wards.” This is to say that we can only comprehend life and its experiences through our rearview mirror (memory) of yesterday (time). We learn from the past, emulate and replicate the future. In life, we can’t connect the dots by looking forward, we can only do that by looking backward and that then starts to make some sense for us. Human sensory perception ascribes, prescribes and subscribes prayer, loving, hazing, pledging, writing, running, walk- ing, singing and communicating, which all require interpretation; and we un- derstand those enactments by observing (looking) at the past as we live forward to make sense of life ‘here and now’.
By Dr. Samuel Odom
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Front row: Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr., Dr. W. Franklin Evans. Back row: Dr. Kevin W. Bailey, Dr. Ricard J. Gallot, Dr. M. Christopher Brown, Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, Dr. Melvin T. Stith, Dr. Herman J. Felton, Ryan Tucker.
Existentially, the bottom line up front is meaning, what does it mean for one (ego) to experience validation through the self-perceived sense of belonging at the perennial expense of intrapsychic pain, brutality, conflict, trauma, physical and verbal assault and violence on the mind and body. The tension has been debated. Those who put the essence of the need to belong (which some argue undergirds “the why” around initia- tion, post initiation and new member experience) as the rationale for why some members may be tempted to un- dergo some unsanctioned process that would violate Kappa Alpha Psi Code of Conduct specific to the Member- ship Training Academy (MTA) program above the uncompromising position of the fraternity that there is only one way to become a member, and that is through the MTA process, is a root of the problem.
The context for the UPP was set based upon the two concepts, hazing and pledge process specifically juxtapos- ing time (yesterday, today and tomor- row)/(past, present and future), the val- ue of establishing a bond, the process of initiation and its significance to include the intrapsychic trauma, narcissistic injury, mental and intellectual value of understanding the need for validation of experiencing an unsanctioned process. Make no mistake about it, Kappa Alpha Psi does not condone, embrace or support hazing. It is unlawful and it vio- lates Kappa Alpha Psi Code of Conduct. These concepts were fully discussed by the panelists, from the perspective of the college and university president—a rare opportunity. The panelists included Dr. M. Christopher Brown (President- Ken- tucky State University); Dr. W. Franklin Evans (President- Voorhees College);
Dr. Herman J. Felton, (President- Wiley College); Dr. Richard J. Gallot, (Presi- dent- Grambling State University); Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, (President- West Virginia State University); Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, (President- Paul Quinn College; Dr. Melvin T. Stith (President- Norfolk State University); Dr. Dwaun J. War- mack, (President- Harriet Stowe State University). Brother Dr. Kevin W. Bailey (Charlotte (NC) AL 1993) served as moderator of the UPP. Brother Bailey currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Frater Dr. M. Christopher Brown, Ph.D. is the 18 th President of Kentucky State University and he has been in the higher education arena over twenty years. He is a Spring 2004 initiate of the How- ard University Chapter, the Mu Lambda of Alpha Phi Alpha.
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Frater Dr. W. Franklin Evans, Ph.D. is the ninth President of Voorhees College and he has been in higher education arena over 25 years. He is a Spring 1981 initiate of the University of Georgia Chapter, Zeta Pi of Alpha Phi Alpha. Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. J.D., Ph.D. (Delta Psi 1999) is the 17 th President of Wiley College, “Home of the Great Debaters”. Dr. Felton's first presidential appointment was as the 21 st president at Wilberforce University, the nation’s old- est private HBCU. He is also a United States Marine and Desert Storm/Desert Shield Veteran. Dr. Richard “Rick” J. Gallot, Jr., J.D. (Gamma Psi 1985) is the 10 th President of Grambling State University. Brother Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D. Durham (NC) AL 1995) is the 11 th President of West Virginia State University. Dr. Jen- kins is the first graduate in the history of Virginia Tech University’s Educational Leadership and Policy Doctor of Phi-
losophy (Ph.D.) program. Additionally, he is also a former US Army Quarter- master and Veteran. Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, J.D., Ed.D. (Iota Nu 1986) is the 34 th President and longest-serving in the 146-year history of Paul Quinn College. Dr. Sorrell is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi and a member of the Sigma Pi Phi Frater- nity. Under his leadership Paul Quinn has become nationally renowned for its innovative approach of using higher education to address the most persis- tent and pressing problems of society. Dr. Melvin T. Stith, Ph.D. (Epsilon Zeta 1966) is the seventh President of Norfolk State University. As Dean Emeritus, Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University; Dean Emeritus, College of Business, Florida State University, he brings more than four decades of higher education leadership and corporate governance ex- perience to Norfolk State University. He is a former US Army Company Grade
Officer who served in the Military Intel- ligence Command in Vietnam and he is also a Combat Veteran. Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, Ed.D. (Nu Eta 1998) is the 19 th President of Harris-Stowe State University. He is one of the youngest serving President of a four-year institution in the nation. He has more than 18 years of progressive administrative experience in higher edu- cation at five distinct higher education institutions to the position. Each of the eight panelists proffered genuine comments, intercollegiate en- actments, personal experiences, thought provoking scenarios and revelations that included profound story-telling of their initiation and pledge processes as Scrollers turn Neophytes then Pro- phytes developing and emerging into great Kappa Men who are now Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of their higher educational institutions across our Nation.
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Some of the questions asked by Dr. Bailey include: • Describe some of the things you do on your campus to educate and eliminate hazing. • Talk about some of the external pressures and influences you face as a result of hazing cases. • As presidents, are you part of any national conversations regarding how to address the continuation of hazing on college campuses? • As college presidents, what final words, thoughts or admonitions do you have for these young men as we begin the Spring 2019 semester?
Some of the presidents' reflections fol- low. Dr. Herman J. Felton: “What amaz- ing leadership we are fortunate to have at the helm of our noble clan. The foresight to create a venue to grapple with the challenges facing our fraternity is fearless leadership. The intuitiveness to address, head on, the challenges while simultaneously exposing the next gen- eration to a cadre of leaders who have demonstrated a continuum of excellence is consistent with our cardinal tenants, and necessary for their development.” Dr. Richard “Rick” J. Gallot, Jr., J.D., Ph.D.: “A major driver in our or- ganization’s legacy is not just who joins, but also who they become as a part of
brotherhood. We have to keep that in mind at every stage, as we train leaders. Our decisions matter more than ever in an environment where African- American institutions experience a higher level of scrutiny and new laws target our experience and processes. From our churches to our HBCUs to student organizations, we are all working to advance how we operate. We have to remember that our main goal is to prepare members for a life of service and achievement. That mission should show up in all of our decisions; which include avoiding unnecessary risks to the bright futures of our young brothers.” President Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins: “I found the Summit to not only be an
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stated during the summit, we denounce hazing, but rally around and support “probate” shows. In my opinion, this sends a conflicting message.” Dr. Michael J. Sorrell: “Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has always shown a willingness to address the issues of the day. This weekend, the fraternity once again waded into waters that other frater- nities, sororities, and organizations might have ignored—the tension involved between the need to root out hazing and the desire to ensure that the backbone of the fraternal bond—a shared experience/ process that resonates across schools, regions, and nations and creates men of common purpose, remains intact.
outstanding example of preparing men for leaderships, but it also created a space to discuss many of the important and critical taboo issues we – as a fra- ternity – have been avoiding. I felt the tone and content presented strength- ened the resolve of so many attending young brothers who needed the summit and its message as they develop their pathway in our noble Klan. Dr. Odom, I thank you for your leadership, vision and execution of assembling this great group of Kappa men for the University Presidents Panel. In addition, I concur with several of my presidential colleagues that we need to revisit the discussion of above ground in-take which is placed back on the college and university campuses. As I
presidents in attendance, are advocates for bringing back a Scrollers Club that would allow schools to shine a light on what is now being done in the dark and create a process that accentuates the positive, but minimizes and manages all unnecessary risk. I applaud Kappa’s willingness to as- semble many of its college presidents and create a forum for these men to talk honestly with a strong sampling of its undergraduate leaders. I hope that this becomes a regular occurrence.” Dr. Melvin T. Stith: “The dialogue during the Undergraduate Summit was enlightening, informative and very in- teractive between the presidential panel and the undergraduate brothers. We
Myself, and many of the other college
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focused our attention, during the ses- sion, on ensuring the continued viability of Kappa Alpha Psi. It was everyone’s objective to ensure that we focused our attention on discuss- ing how the Fraternity can grow, prosper and flourish. Thus, we agreed that we must develop strategies that strengthen this resolve. We must rid the Fraternity of those activities, beliefs and customs that do not mesh with current societal expecta- tions and the fundamental purpose of our Grand Fraternity. Organizations that do not change its modes of operation become entropic and die from within, Kappa Alpha Psi will be no exception.” Dr. Dwaun Warmack: “The under- graduate summit was very, very impor- tant, as I think about the future of our amazing fraternity and this awesome bond, to have this many undergraduate brothers present and to have a panel of college presidents from all of the coun- try, to take time out of their schedule to talk about the importance of not just Kappa Alpha Psi, but Black fraternity and sorority life as whole, if having the opportunity as an undergraduate twenty years ago to attend this type of sum- mit would have spoken volumes, just to create a space that’s transparent and undergraduates having the opportunity to ask any questions they wanted to ask without creating any recourse creates an environment where real transformation can begin to manifest.” There are enormous reflections and commentary post the 14 th Annual National Founders Day Undergradu- ate Summit, specifically the University Presidents Panel. Many of the 203 undergraduates who attended the Undergraduate Summit are rethinking their undergraduate experi- ences and opportunities to become a college or university president and ulti- mately contemplating the notion to serve as a model for change in order for us to reach our bicentennial in Kappa.
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More than 200 brothers gathered for the Undergraduate Summit.
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Grand Polemarch Battles held a session with the attendees during the Undergraduate Summit.
The spirit of transformation to create and establish an Undergraduate Summit on an annual or biannual basis has taken on a life of its own and our undergradu- ates are extremely inspired to lead. Note that Kappa prides itself upon the motto of “Leadership Since 1911” and more importantly, “Achievement in Every
Field of Human Endeavor.”
/Everything must change/ /Nothing stays the same/ /Everyone will change/ /No one, no one stays the same/
US Army Veteran Benard Ighner (1974) talented singer, musician and songwriter so poignantly wrote ‘Every- thing Must Change’ more than 45 years ago, it is indeed the case in terms of fraternity life.
/The young become the old/ /And mysteries do unfold/ /For that’s the way of time/ /No one, and nothing goes unchanged/
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We must change our behavior, per- spective and thinking if we are to survive and remain relevant in a world of con- stant change. Nothing stays the same! Kappa cannot afford to be indifferent, or self-effacing about a malignant and perpetual issue facing us.
Our young men seek direction, guid- ance and mentorship to thrive in a very complex and evolving civilization. It is clear that our cadre of undergraduates possess the innate propensity to shape future generations, their experiences as well as develop holistic understand- ing, make sound judgments that sustain
our Noble Clan, embrace change that highlights and strengthen Kappa’s brand and support decisions that safeguard our fraternity and liberate us from extinction in Second Century Kappa.
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There were several opportunities for dialogue throughout the Undergraduate Summit. Grand Polemarch Battles, the Council of Province Polemarchs and Grand Board Members held Q&A sessions with the participants on various issues of importance to the delegates.
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Mental health Awareness
T he Undergraduate Summit held during Kappa Alpha Psi’s 14 th Annual National Founders Day featured the inaugural mental health awareness panel (MHAP) exclusively for our undergradu- ate membership on Saturday, January 5, 2019. Panelists included Brothers Ralph “RJ” Johnson, Trenton A. Nettles, Dr. Samuel Odom and Dr. Roger L. Wortham. Grand Board Member Andre J. Earls served as the moderator for MHAP. Brother Earls discussed and highlighted why mental health aware- ness was featured in the Undergraduate Summit to include the significance of understanding the impact of mental health on human growth and develop- ment. Brother Johnson, MBA, CCFC, CCJTS is a fall 2015 initiate of the Shreveport (LA) Alumni Chapter and he serves as the Chief Compliance Officer,
Behavioral Health Organization Liaison to Louisiana Association of Behavioral Health Providers. Brother Nettles is a spring 2010 initiate of the Oregon State University Chapter, the Iota Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi and he is Founder/ Owner-TNettles Advantage Associate Director of Fraternity/Sorority Life. Brother Dr. Odom is a fall 1993 initiate of the Dillard University Chapter, the Beta Gamma of Kappa Alpha Psi and he serves as a Professor and Philosopher on the campus of Southern University at New Orleans in the Millie M. Charles School of Social Work. Dr. Wortham is a fall 1969 initiate of the Southern Uni- versity and A&M College Chapter, the Alpha Sigma of Kappa Alpha Psi and he is a Psychiatrist at Psychiatric Associates of Lafayette, Louisiana. The panel opened with the three unique questions: I) Through the lens of your specialization, how does mental
health play a role in hazing? II) How do you deal with ‘bad apples’ in the chapter/ make better decisions? III) How do you balance stresses on college campuses? Subsequently, the session transi- tioned to the Q&A topics of a) Student athlete pressures b) Black versus White mental health and c) the effects of drugs and alcohol on mental health. Each of the four panelists responded to each inquiry which was followed by additional inquiry, comments, reflections and fur- ther dialogue. I) Through the lens of your special- ization how does mental health play a role in hazing? According to the Univer- sity of Michigan, Hazing is any action or situation, with or without the consent of the participants, which recklessly, inten- tionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, or academic health or safety of a student. This includes, but is not limited to any situation which:
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•
Creates a risk of injury to any
works with the patient and with the es- sential multidisciplinary team to prepare a course of treatment and monitoring. Treatments span medication and psycho- therapy, depending on the individual and how his complex of symptoms presents.” Dr. Odom pointed out that mental health impacts hazing in such a way that human growth and development must be juxtaposed to better understand the holistic effect in terms of early child- hood and exposure to and experience of intrapsychic, physical trauma of both the mind and body. Indeed, mental health plays a noteworthy role in hazing, philo- sophically ‘we are what we repeatedly do’ and "I might add what we hear and see (what we experience)." This is the case with abuse, neglect, trauma and violence on the mind, body and spirit of the human person. One is exposed to abuse, neglect, trauma and violence in a given context and it is later manifested and perpetuated in a ‘fight or flight’ in terms of our need to survive. Dr. Odom professed that “one of the largest parts of many college students college experience involves ‘Greek Life’. Everyone has seen movies of frat houses and heard the countless amounts of myths about pledging. While hazing is banned by every college, every national headquarters of all fraternities, and even with the police, it still happens. On every campus there is hazing. Of course the severity of the hazing differs from house to house and university to university, but nonetheless it is more than common. Hazing is the most collective reason for fraternities to be kicked off campuses and to have their charter revoked by their respective National Headquarters. Despite the harsh consequences hazing is still alive.” II) How do you deal with ‘bad apples’ in the chapter/make better decisions? Dr. Wortham proffered the notion that “decision-making, including deciding to address Chapter members deemed inappropriate or toxic to the organiza- tion or for other reasons, has its chal- lenges. These challenges are multiplied in a fraternal organization where the value of brotherhood is central, if not
the bedrock. Challenges due to loyalty to individual members versus loyalty to the organization, ethical, legal or moral obligations, and emotional needs are faced in making such decisions. There is no one instruction or set of instruc- tions for making decisions, however. Because personalities, characters and personal styles are not likely to change, it is important to recognize and be aware of yours, because in some instances these must be overcome so that decisions advance a good that you have determined is worthy. In other words, you assess the worth of a goal in the context of your per- sonality and proceed courageously with a decision.” Dr. Odom articulated that it is essential to comprehend process (re- lationship, work, life, responsibility, role identity), become fully aware of self and other relative to differences in personal- ity structure primarily in terms of the type of human person a chapter seeks to recruit, this is to say, the majority of cases regarding recruitment & selection culminate with existing members attract- ing /recruiting like-minded persons iden- tical to membership or chapter profile which highlight specific lifestyle, char- acter, sociocultural background, religion, major discipline and mutual associations (“birds of a feather syndrome”). III) How do you balance stresses on college campuses? Brother Nettles iden- tified the importance of “when navigat- ing college, it’s important to identify key resources that colleges has to offer such as academic support centers, Health and counseling services, and student organizations that can serve as support groups with similar identities or interest (e.g. mental health, Resilience groups, etc). It’s also important to identify key mentors on campus and if needed, local doctors and counselors so that if you can navigate off campus services as well. While our fraternity brothers can serve in multiple capacities, sometimes others we identify with can help support us as well.” Dr. Wortham said, “In my psychiatric practice, I am a huge proponent of man- aging stress in a very practical manner, especially initially, and especially where
individual or group •
Causes discomfort to any indi-
vidual or group •
Causes embarrassment to any
individual or group • individual or group • individual or group •
Involves harassment of any
Involves degradation of any
Involves humiliation of an indi-
vidual or group • vidual or group •
Involves ridicule of an indi-
Involves or includes the will- ful destruction or removal of public or private property for the purpose of initia- tion or admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued member- ship in an organization Hazing includes physical injury, assault or battery, kidnapping or impris- onment, intentionally placing at risk of mental or emotional harm (putting “over the edge”), degradation, humiliation, the compromising of moral or religious values, forced consumption of any liquid or solid, placing an individual in physical danger (at risk) which includes aban- donment, and impairment of physical liberties which include curfews or other interference with academic endeavors. Dr. Wortham articulated the point that “hazing, as either a sanctioned or outlawed practice, has the potential to inflict emotional harm. That harm may be seen in either those with little or no predisposition to mental illness or in those who have increased risks for mental illness. Depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress and substance use disorders stand out as likely conditions that could be precipitated or exacer- bated by hazing. Psychiatrists assess individuals for symptoms, such as loss of concentration, loss of interest, suicidal- ity, somatic complaints, sleep distur- bance and impaired functioning, to determine if variants of these disorders or full-blown syndromes are present. Once assessment and diagnosis are completed, frequently calling on other physicians and other mental health professionals to do so, the psychiatrist
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you have identified the source of stress, the stressor. Identifying a stressor is not always a straightforward process and help in doing so is often necessary, whether that is from a trusted confidant, a professor, or a professional mental health provider. Once identified, it is not necessarily easy to take the needed disciplined, practical approach to elimi- nating the stressor. For instance, finan- cial stressors are common; the discipline required to manage desires that lead to spending does not come easily. In some instances, rather that tackling those de- sires, it is easier to target “anxiety,” one of the more frequent manifestations of stress. Nonetheless, personally address- ing such stressors in a disciplined and consistent way yields results. In other instances, the source of stress is more complex or camouflaged in our psyche. Professional intervention is more likely to be needed in these cases. At any rate, treatments can span self-help lifestyle and behavioral measures, to medications, to professional application of therapies. Relaxation, mindfulness, spiritual enrichment, exercise, quality relationships, and intellectual pursuits can be beneficial in managing stress and often can be accomplished in a self- help fashion or can be professionally directed.” Questions regarding student ath- lete pressures were highlighted by Dr. Wortham, yielding refreshing perspec- tives and ideas. He thinks the greatest pressure for the student athlete is to achieve the high yield goal of a quality education while enduring the pressures of being a prized entertainer. Those par- ticipating in the big four or five sports, where professional careers are possible, must learn to manage their personal resources, including their athletic talent, considering the larger possibility that there will be no professional career. This is a conundrum in that “giving (the sport) your all” could compromise aca- demic goals. There is the harsh reality that the university, including its boost- ers, students, administrators, and often faculty, is mainly invested in the enter- tainment value of the student/athlete.
Setting personal goals along the continu- um of “pure athlete” to “pure academic” is helpful. Being flexible in reassessing goals is necessary. There can be little regret when one works wholeheartedly to achieve goals, maintains confidence that decisions made further goals, and understands that rethinking and resetting goals is a life-long project.” Black versus White Mental Health created significant opportunity for exchange and dialogue between the panelists and the undergraduate cohort of more than 215 students. Dr. Wortham championed that “any Black person engaging health care, including mental health care, should feel empowered to explore the impact of race on his health. American medicine, like America, is tainted by historical and ongoing racism. Psychiatry has not been spared. There was general belief that Blacks were not amenable to certain psychiatric treat- ments because of not having a “mind” or, more specifically, not having the capac- ity for insight. Misdiagnosis towards psychotic disorder is well-documented. Some of the mental health unmet need and disparity hurting Blacks can be traced to these realities. At the same time, Black people need and benefit from psychiatric care. Blacks, like in other areas of life, must be very active partici-
pants in their care, advocates. We must equip ourselves with as much knowledge about mental illness as we can. This is not different from other groups. Useful also, and unique to Blacks, is the role played in broadening our knowledge of our history and culture. To do so, Dr. Wortham champions the arguments made by Dr. Joy DeGruy in her book Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. She explains how slavery has influenced our mental health and outlines healing measures based on strengths among Blacks. Strong self-advocacy and greater understanding of the unique influences on our collective psyche must be central in improving Black mental health.” The extensive conversation, discourse and interaction between & amongst pan- elists and undergraduate members also generated inquiry pertaining to effects of drugs and alcohol on mental health. Dr. Wortham posited that, “There is so much co-morbidity between mental illness and substance use disorders--cigarette smok- ing and schizophrenia, cannabis abuse and psychosis or amotivation, alcoholism and cognitive deficits, bipolar affective disorder and stimulant abuse only begin to list the many combinations. There are ironies such as individuals 'preferring' to display the dysfunctions of substance use disorder rather than being diagnosed
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and treated for mental illness, some- thing seen as more stigmatizing. There is the danger of denial of substance use disorder, prolonging attendant somatic damage, or concealing it, which often initiates, exacerbates or adds to mental illness. In short, any person with mental illness, or conversely, any person with substance use disorder, must be evalu- ated for the other. Treatment effective- ness cannot be achieved without doing so.” The panel also prepared data, mental health awareness and clinical facts about specific topics to share during the men- tal health awareness panel: epigenetics, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), the pre- vention of a Mood or Anxiety Disorder, the early recognition of a Personality Disorder, Domestic Violence & Interper- sonal Relationships, and the treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. At the conclusion of the mental health panel, there were approximately ten undergraduates who expressed interest in pursuing an advance degree, graduate medical degree in medicine, behavioral sciences or mental health. Ultimately, mental health should be prioritized alongside physical health.
Psychosocial crises very often suggest that professional mental health care is needed. The human mind, body and spirit require daily, monthly and annual maintenance just as an automobile, home or computer. This “maintenance” is essential to any functional intimate & social relationship. There is an expres- sion in dentistry: “be true to your teeth or they will be false to you.” In mental health: “don’t make a permanent deci- sion for your temporary emotion.” Lastly, your mental health is a priority, your happiness is an essential, and your self- care is a necessity. Don’t perpetuate the negative stigma about behavioral and or mental health. Please see a behavioral and or mental health professional/pro- vider, if the need arises; the choice to do so is priceless. Written by: Dr. Samuel Odom, Ph.D. (Beta Gamma 1993) Member, New Orleans Alumni Chapter, Health & Wellness Chair- man- Southwestern Province and the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Dr. Roger L. Wortham, M.D. (Alpha Sigma 1969) Member, New Orleans Alumni Chap- ter and Health & Wellness Chairman- New Orleans (LA) Alumni Chapter
Jwyanza Watt, LEADKappa Director, also led discussions with the delegates during the Un- dergraduate Summit.
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Available at more than 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide, Army ROTC sets you apart by providing leadership skills and incredible personal development. It also provides great benefits like advanced career training and opportunities for scholarships. As an Army officer, you adapt to challenges and empower others to become highly trained, adaptable and ready for anything. Be a leader on the team that makes a difference. goarmy.com/rotc
To learn more about scholarship opportunities and becoming an Army Officer, contact Mr. Jay Hansen at 912-220-7730 or email jay.a.hansen.civ@mail.mil
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