What mental health priority will you be addressing in the coming year?

First, we must address the mental health crisis among youth by funding existing organizations who have successfully found rehabilitation methods. Next, we need to broadly increase access to equitable mental health care by identifying communities, zip codes who lack access to services. Finally, we must confront the unacceptable inequities in mental health among historically marginalized communities as a core function of everything we do.

One of my top priorities includes increasing awareness and shining a light on the need for increased and equitable access to services for mental health and substance use disorders. For far too long, there has been a stigma associated with seeking help for these issues. During our lives, most of us or a loved one will experience the need for help to address mental health or substance use. I want to make sure our residents know where to find help and eliminate any barriers to receiving the help they need so they and their families can live their best possible lives.

REPRESENTATIVE JERVONTE EDMONDS @TAEEDMONDS

The Mental Health priority that I will be attempting to address in the coming year is continuing to normalize the conversation surrounding the stigmas associated with mental health and to establish a Mental Health Advisory Board in the City of Riviera Beach. The purpose of the board is to advocate for members of the community living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders and their families. I cannot do this alone. I need your help in spreading the word through awareness, support, and advocacy activities so that we can truly have an impact on Mental Wellness. Let’s elevate the conversation around the stigmas. Be Well MY FRIENDS, together stronger.

Nearly 60 million adults are living with a mental health condition. That’s millions of Americans who would benefit from additional mental health resources, care, and assistance. Last Congress, we sent nearly $245 million in mental health assistance to communities across the country—including right here in Palm Beach County—through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. As a member of the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to advocate for boosting funding for critical programs and services that are designed to help Americans who need access to mental health care.

To have your voice heard from your corner of the neighborhood, send an email to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “Corner Talk and north, central, south, east or west” in the subject line.

Who are the Black Sororities and Fraternities and what do they do to meet the needs of our communities?

By: Rhonda Rogers, Immediate

The Divine 9 is a name used to refer to the 9 Black Greek Letter Organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council (N.P.H.C.) founded on May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University.

This council consists of 5 fraternity organizations and 4 sorority organizations being:

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Founded on December 4, 1906, on the campus of Cornell University.

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Founded on January 15, 1908, on the campus of Howard University.

• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Founded on January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University.

• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Founded on November 17, 1911, on the campus of Howard University.

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Founded on January 13, 1913, on the campus of Howard University.

• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. Founded on January

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9, 1914, on the campus of Howard University.

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University.

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. Founded on November 12, 1922, on the campus of Butler University.

• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated. Founded on September 19, 1963, on the campus of Morgan State University.

The history of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs), like the one I’m a part of (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated), dates to the early 1900’s when African American students were excluded from Greek organizations at predominately white institutions. These organizations under this council work together and individually to ensure that change and progress is made within the Black community through social action, advocacy, and community programs. Black Greek fraternities and sororities were founded to promote community bonding, increase their professional opportunities after college, and to provide services to the Black community.

While White Greek organization member activity ends at the conclusion of their college career (graduation), the goal of Black Greek Letter Organizations, BGLOs, is to inspire people to continue the work after college. BGLOs provide opportunities for those who have already graduated college to join post-grad. As educated members of the Black community, Black Greeks can expand over multiple chapters across the nation and educate, inform, and serve their community beyond their college campuses.

I am a proud member of the South Palm Beach County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. I am the chapter’s immediate past chapter president and I have served as the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Palm Beach County’s chapter president.

Our organizations have hosted numerous programs and events that address mental health and awareness. We have partnered with Healthier Delray Beach with their annual Get Your Green On program and have had the director of the organization, Ms. Kenya Madison, who is a member of our chapter and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to serve on panels as a local expert. We have hosted these events in person and via zoom. Our organization has been involved in civic engagement since its inception. We have adopted precincts and work closely with the supervisor of election to ensure that the black community gets out the vote. We have conducted voter’s registrations for high school students and adults. We have hosted candidates forums and actively participated in the Souls to the Polls with other community organizations and our local churches.

Divine 9 meets our community needs through the vast number of programs and events. When COVID-19 hit our black communities very hard, we all jumped into action to assist with finding testing locations and ensuring we got the information out about the virus and how to get ourselves and our family safe. Our chapter provided COVID-19 kits with supplies and literature.

Through our programs, we offer mentoring to young men and women. It’s important for us to provide quality mentoring services to our future leaders. The only way we are going to ensure that our legacy continues is by grooming our future members of our black sororities and fraternities. We must keep the DREAM ALIVE of the founders of our Divine 9 organizations who all envisioned a better and stronger black community.

The Reservoir is the cultural space for contributors to highlight customs, celebrations, holidays, rituals, recipes, and more. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Reservoir” in the subject line.