A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND CONSUL

Post date: Aug 11, 2019 8:34:40 PM

I was going to write about my Chapter Advisors meeting at KTLW, but there is a more pressing matter and we'll do that in a week.

Sigma Chi rolled out its REACH OUT* app at KTLW 2019. The REACH OUT app is the result of extensive work by the Membership Development Committee headed by brother Jesse Trout (now the Membership Development Continuum). Suicide is the #1 killer of young adults. Depression among young adults is rising. In fact, I just read an article talking about that 22% of young adults said they have no friends. We all know how intimidating it can be coming to a large university where you do not know anyone. This is one of the main selling points of the fraternity/sorority system in gaining access to new friendships and lifelong contacts.

Depression and Suicide is not limited to just men or just women. It does not discriminate as to age. It is not just young adults. Also, people can be very good at masking the symptoms of depression and we must become trained to spot these markers so we can help these people find the resources they need. I have read on FaceBook in the last few days where three Sigma Chi alums had committed suicide. Suicide among veterans is happening at an alarming rate (and many of you know I am a veteran). We are committed to making a difference in this vital area.

The Membership Development Committee found that our resources we had been using and those of many others did not provide LOCAL resources. This app provides resources for counseling and crisis intervention, rape and sexual assault resources and counseling, domestic violence counseling, LGBTQ counseling and resources, and others. These are vital mental health resources and this app is not just for Sigma Chi members- it is for all.

My charge to you is to spread the word via your social media networks and at local levels. Let's make this a Sigma Chi chapter initiative during this coming academic year. Fold it into your Derby Day activities. Let it be known that Sigma Chi is drawing a line in the sand against depression and suicide and violence and discrimination of all kinds. Download the app if you have not already (I have). We will make resources available to get the REACH OUT wrist bands and I have asked HQ to see if we can get the Sigma Chi store to stock Reach Out T-Shirts.

Remember: YOU ARE NEVER ALONE IN SIGMA CHI.

*Reach Out is available for download in the app store for all Apple devices and in the Play Store for all Android devices.

Next Week: The importance of Chapter Advisors and Advisory Boards.

-Steve Schuyler, ARIZONA 1979 - 71th Grand Consul