FROM THE PRESIDENT B Y KELLY MCGI N NI S B E C K, E K , N ATIO N A L PR E S I D E N T
In June I took my first trip by airplane in 15 months. For someone who used to travel by airplane at least once a month, to say I was giddy would be an understatement. I was excited to pack my suitcase, although it took some time to remember how I used to do it so efficiently (and make sure I didn’t forget anything)! Once I got to the airport, the familiarity of the routine made me realize how much I had missed this part of my life. This pandemic has certainly given us all a greater perspective and provided a deeper appreciation for things we took for granted. Being denied the opportunity to do the things we love has been difficult for all of us. I am a people-person and I love to hug people. Oh, how I missed it! I recently attended a backyard luau and couldn’t wait to hug my friends again. And not just a quick hug, but a good squeeze to let them know how much I care about them and missed seeing their beautiful faces. Quarantine and isolation have taken their toll on society. Everyone has been affected in different ways, but one area that seems to have been greatly impacted has been our mental health. The uncertainty of the future, the fear of a deadly virus, the inability to feel free and the loss of connecting with our fellow humans have made us feel vulnerable. Our young people, especially, have felt disconnected from each other as schools shut down, clubs and sports were paused and learning became an online experience. So many rights of passage had to be foregone or canceled. At a time in life when nothing seems more important than being with friends, their lives have been turned upside down. According to a CDC report released on Sept. 11, 2020, the rate of suicide among youth, aged 10 to 24, increased nearly 60% between 2007 and 2018 (10.7 per 100,000). And that was before the pandemic started. I can only imagine the impact that a global pandemic will have on these numbers. Sadly, my local high school saw three student deaths by suicide within six weeks at the end of this school year. Both of my boys lost friends. At a time when they should be celebrating the
end of a school year and making plans for a fun summer, I am having tough conversations about depression and suicidal thoughts. I am thankful for the support of school counselors who are helping the boys and other students work through not just their own grief but their experiences during this difficult year. My husband and I have also shared with our kids our own struggles, so they know that they are not alone and that it’s okay to talk about feeling sad, experiencing anxiety or being depressed. These are conversations we all need to be having with our families, our friends, our sisters. We should be talking about our mental health just as openly as we discuss our physical health. Mental illness is as serious as cancer or heart disease; it is the tenth leading cause of death for all Americans. And yet there continues to be a stigma that shames people into silence and prevents them from seeking help. We need to normalize conversations about mental health and seeking treatment. Will you join me in taking the StigmaFree Pledge? I’m #StigmaFree. Are you? www.nami.org/stigmafree
KELLY MCGINNIS BECK, EK NATIONAL PRESIDENT @ASAKELLYM References: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr69/NVSR-69-11-508.pdf https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree
Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha 3
