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NAMI and Sigma Gamma Rho Join Forces to Enhance Mental Health Awareness

In a significant step toward promoting mental health awareness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has announced a groundbreaking alliance with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. This partnership is particularly pertinent as Sigma Gamma Rho celebrates its hundredth anniversary, reflecting its long-standing commitment to public service and community engagement.

Mental health is an urgent issue, especially within Black communities, where studies indicate that Black adults are 20% more likely to experience serious psychological distress compared to their white counterparts. Alarmingly, suicide rates among Black youth have surged at a pace more rapid than any other racial or ethnic group. With these disheartening statistics in mind, the partnership aims to address mental health equity, bolster awareness, and mitigate stigma.

The collaborative efforts between NAMI and Sigma Gamma Rho will focus on several key initiatives, including mental health education, resource accessibility, advocacy for mental health equity, and empowerment efforts directed at both youth and families. The sorority, which comprises over 100,000 collegiate and professional women, will use this partnership to deliver impactful resources and provide extensive training to further their initiatives that advocate for individual and community wellbeing.

“By partnering with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., we aim to strengthen our connection with more people in Black/African American communities, break down barriers, and empower individuals and families to seek help early without shame or fear of judgment,” stated NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr.

In practical terms, Sigma Gamma Rho members will engage in diverse activities in conjunction with NAMI’s 650 local affiliates. This includes hosting crucial community conversations through the NAMI Sharing Hope program, participating in NAMI Homefront which offers support to veterans' caregivers, and raising funds through participation in NAMI Walks. Furthermore, the chaplains of Sigma Gamma Rho will partake in NAMI FaithNet training, which enhances support mechanisms within faith communities.

Marica T. Harris, the International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho, expressed optimism about the collaboration: “This collaboration is a meaningful step toward ensuring that mental health care is accessible, relevant, and compassionate for our communities. We are fiercely committed to breaking the stigma associated with mental health struggles and creating open dialogue and healing spaces.”

As this partnership unfolds, both organizations anticipate significant improvements in mental health outcomes for their communities. Collectively, they aim to shatter the silence around mental health and foster resilience by bridging gaps in support and resources.

To gain more insights into this initiative and understand how NAMI and Sigma Gamma Rho are elevating mental health conversations within the Black community, interested individuals can visit divinenine.nami.org/sgrho/.

About Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Founded in 1922 by a group of seven African American women educators at Butler University in Indianapolis, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has grown to encompass over 500 chapters not only in the U.S. but also in countries like Canada, Germany, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The organization prioritizes service and community engagement and operates under the slogan, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”

About The National Alliance on Mental Illness

As the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, NAMI is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Through education, support, and advocacy initiatives, NAMI engages communities and fosters healthier lifestyles for those impacted by mental health issues.

Together, NAMI and Sigma Gamma Rho are set to make profits not just in numbers but in the lives they touch through their vital programming, aiming for a more equitable and supportive mental health environment across all communities.