Program Description:
It is a tough world out there, friends. Our “new normal” now that COVID-19 has changed everything has us almost exclusively utilizing virtual spaces to connect with others. Although Tiktok and Instagram allow us to stay up-to-date with our friends, they also bombard us with examples of both toxic positivity and normalized negativity. It is critical that we protect our mental health.
We are often told to practice “self-care” which is usually portrayed as bubble baths or meditating but does little to resolve stress over the long-term. In this program, Annalise introduces the concepts of self-compassion and intentional mindfulness to build the resiliency necessary to cope with the stresses of high school and college life.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will identify two to three tangible ways to practice self-compassion in their everyday routine; Develop positive coping mechanisms to manage stress, criticism, and anxiety; Create boundaries to protect their mental health; Model mindfulness to combat toxic positivity and normalized negativity.
Be Kind to Your Mind
How Are You? Friendship, Tough Conversations, & Mental Health
Program Description:
Every day, we are asked “how are you?” by strangers and friends, alike. It is easy to mindlessly go through this simple exchange of pleasantries, but what happens when we are not "fine" or "good"? Fear of rejection or the shame of not being able to handle things on our own can cause us to bottle up our emotions - depression, anxiety, pain - to keep them hidden from the people that care about us most. For many, this can leave us feeling isolated and alone in our time of need. By exploring the ways that authenticity and personal wellness connect, attendees will open the door for honest conversations about how we support our members during times of crisis.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will explore ways in which they present themselves to the world; Identify how external forces (peers, social media, etc.) influence perceptions of ourselves; Develop strategies associated with vulnerability, helping, and their interrelationship; Create actionable next-steps to begin to develop deeper connections.
Sold on Sisterhood
Program Description:
You’ve aced recruitment and brought in some amazing new members! Now what? Welcoming new members into our organizations often comes with promises of friendship and fun; however, we often overlook the stress and anxiety that may come with such a major commitment. From navigating the responsibilities of membership to navigating the politics of big-little selection, new members can quickly become overwhelmed. By focusing on ways to create welcoming spaces for new members to be open and honest about their needs, chapters can help new members develop resiliency that will last them throughout the ups and downs of fraternal membership. In this program, participants will challenge members to intentionally focus on supporting the mental health and wellness of new members, so that our organizations are safer and successful for all members.
Note: this program can be tailored for both pre-recruitment training or new member orientation.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to incorporate mental health education into their New Member Education programs; Evaluate how the New Member Education process can impact the well-being of our members in order to determine best practices for setting New Members up to be successful Members.
Greek Unity, Not My Chapter, & Other Lies We Tell Ourselves
Program Description:
Fraternity and sorority life tends to get a bad rap. From newsfeeds to newspaper pages and images on television media outlets, we are portrayed as being filled with hazing, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and plain stupidity. Our members believe "that stuff" will never happen to them, or worse, it will only happen to another chapter or organization. By exploring the myths (and realities) surrounding fraternities and sororities, attendees will have honest conversations regarding the future of their fraternity/sorority communities and how individual members can impact their organizations in positive ways.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will critically reflect on the popular perceptions of Fraternity/Sorority Life in mainstream media; Identify how these perceptions influence action and inaction on the part of members; Develop strategies associated with creating a better public image and better-aligning action with organizational values.
Crafting Resiliency: Stitching & Self-Care
Program Description:
When we think of self-care, images of bubble baths and lavender candles usually come to mind. However, self-care is so much more than that. In this program, attendees will explore how to incorporate mental wellness into their daily lives while learning a brand new skill- embroidery! Prior to the program, every attendee will receive all of the materials that they need to create a custom cross-stitch piece of their fraternity/sorority letters, organization logo, or university symbols. Over the course of one hour, attendees will receive personal instruction on all the ins and outs of embroidery, while participating in a facilitated discussion about self-care.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will produce a custom cross-stitch piece and demonstrate an understanding of basic embroidery techniques; Develop coping mechanisms to reduce and manage stress; Implement a strategic mental wellness plan into their everyday routine.