Let’s Get Mental: S.U. BeTheMatch and NAACP Panel Discussion

Students and faculty at Southern University joined together for an event that highlighted open, vulnerable, and learning conversations.
This past Monday, SU’s chapters of Be the Match and NAACP hosted a panel discussion with one member of each of the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Each member was given the opportunity to give advice on all-around health, such as sexual health, physical health, mental health, and so forth.
The audience was also able to ask questions and give advice. Questions such as ‘What does mental health mean to you?’, ‘How do you think we should get people to give blood to Be the Match?’, and ‘What’s some advice for good sexual health?’ were asked.
In order to properly discuss Black health and wellness, it was imperative to accompany this topic with this topic in relation to the Be the Match program at Southern University.
Be the Match is a national marrow donor program that works diligently to connect patients suffering from leukemia, sickle cell, and other life-threatening diseases with a donor match to potentially save a life, including our student body.
Haley Wesley, the current senior class president, and Auriyonne Lopez, the current Miss Freshman, brought along their own stories of being a sickle cell survivor and how students could possibly “be the match” by becoming a donor.
“Be the Match was implemented on Southern’s campus to create awareness for the sickle cell disease that runs predominantly in African Americans,” stated Taylor Curtis, the current representative for Be the Match, the current secretary for S.U.’s chapter of NAACP, as well as a junior majoring in Elementary Education from Houston, Texas.
Raising awareness on becoming a donor, allowed students to get educated as well as erased fear and stigmas that the Black community has with doctors and giving out blood; as unlawful and unethical experiences in history prohibit forward movement in the Black community, such as the Tuskegee experiment and the case of Henrietta Lacks.
While mentioning resources on campus, students were told about the services of the University’s Counseling Center and another helpful organization on campus.
Mental Milestones Association is an organization that was erected at the end of last year’s spring semester that is “dedicated to helping individuals identify the importance of self-awareness and self-reinforcement.” The organization hosts healing circles, group events, and things alike for community and support.