The semester I joined Kappa Delta I was like any other new member, excited to be a part of a new sisterhood. Others couldn’t tell from the outside that I was struggling internally with mental health. I was overwhelmed with college academics, fitting into a new friend group and being away from my family. Toward the end of freshman year, I began to struggle with depression and anxiety.

I continued to struggle during my sophomore year while living in the Kappa Delta house. My mental health got worse, and I was placed on academic bad standing. I was ashamed and afraid of being judged. I was not comfortable sharing my feelings.

Evonne’s sisters opened up about their own mental health, and the experience brought them closer together.

One night while I was studying, I became incredibly stressed and started crying uncontrollably. I didn’t even know why I was so emotional, but I cried so hard that I started shaking. A sister saw me and came to comfort me. I found myself laying out all my struggles, and she listened without passing any judgment. She encouraged me to get help.

Evonne enjoying sorority life as a Kappa Delta.

The next day, some of my sisters walked with me to our on-campus counseling center. As we walked, I felt like the “black sheep” of my sorority, embarrassed to be seeking help. Over time, I slowly became more and more open about my mental health and why I was seeing a counselor. My KD sisters began to share their own struggles with mental health and helped me realize I was not alone. Because of their willingness to be open, I stopped feeling like the black sheep.

Evonne and her Kappa Delta sisters.

Being a part of Kappa Delta helped me to learn more about myself. My sisters gave me coping tips to help combat my struggles with mental health all while motivating me to study and improve my academics. I am still getting the help I need, but I am no longer afraid to express myself, and I am no longer on academic bad standing. Kappa Delta is a judgment-free zone where I am able to be fully myself. I have grown to become a more confident and outgoing person because of Kappa Delta.

Evonne Le

opens in a new windowZeta Psi – Valparaiso University

In a 2017  opens in a new windowsurvey by the American College Health Association (ACHA)opens PDF file , students reported that anxiety and depression are among the biggest factors that negatively affect their academic performance. Forty-two percent of participants said they had felt so depressed in the past year, it was difficult for them to function. ( opens in a new windowHealth.com, 2019)

If you feel like you need help coping with mental health issues, please contact the counseling center or health center on your campus. Or, call 911, go to the nearest hospital or call the suicide hotline at  opens in a new window1-800-273-TALK (8255)opens phone dialer. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Discover more about the opens in a new windowKappa Delta experience  opens in a new windowhere.