Mental Health Resources & Programs
Mental health is one of Phi Gamma Delta’s main educational priorities, and we believe it is important to provide programs and resources to our brothers and volunteers.
Behind Happy Faces
Behind Happy Faces (BHF) is a mental health curriculum designed to give young men the tools needed to address their mental health. There are nine lessons that define mental health, break down the stigmas surrounding it, open doors for discussion, teach about effective coping, and help participants support friends who are experiencing mental health challenges. BHF is available to our chapters for FREE, and it can be facilitated by an undergraduate brother, graduate advisor or volunteer.
Review each lesson’s facilitator guide and PowerPoint presentation (linked under each lesson below) and example how to use the lesson strategically to evaluate which lessons will benefit your chapter.
1: Understanding Mental Health
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: Facilitate as a “Welcome Back” program to begin the year with conversations about mental health
- When: August
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: Facilitate as a “Welcome Back” program to begin the year with conversations about mental health
- When: August
3: Changing Ineffective Coping
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: Host program prior to breaks
- When: November/March
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: The program relates to people’s relationships with each other
- When: February
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: Host program to help with stress before finals
- When: December/April
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: Facilitate this program to help with stress before mid-terms
- When: September/February
7: Good Stress & Stopping Procrastination
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: Facilitate this program to help with finalizing the semester academically
- When: October
8: Sympathy, Empathy & Compassion
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Example: Host program to start a dialogue about going “home” for those who may not have a strong home environment or to raise awareness for those who do not have a strong home environment
- When: November
Facilitation Materials
How to Use This Session Strategically
- Facilitate any time
Advisor’s Mental Health Workshop
The Advisor’s Mental Health Workshop series provides graduate advisors and volunteers with training on mental health basics and is facilitated by Ross Szabo, creator of Behind Happy Faces.
Mental Wellness Guide
Phi Gamma Delta partnered with Archie Messersmith-Bunting to develop a Mental Wellness Guide. Chapter leaders and volunteers should review the guide as a team to discuss their approach to support brothers.
Wellness Resource Contact List
Chapter leaders should also utilize the Wellness Resource Contact List to identify available local resources and share the list with the chapter.
External Resources
General Mental Health Resources
The Be There Certificate is a learning experience designed to increase mental health literacy and provide the skills needed to safely support anyone struggling with their mental health.
Manscending helps young men build calm confidence through simple mindfulness practices, values-based coaching, and authentic brotherhood.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI provides resource and data showcasing why mental health is important, including:
- Statistics and facts related to mental health’s impact on society.
- Mental health warning signs and symptoms so you can support and enable others to get the help they need (this does not mean serving as a mental health expert).
- Learn how mental health impacts identities and cultures differently.
Take NAMI’s Pledge to Be Stigma Free.
Organizations Supporting Specific Mental Health Disorders & Learning Disabilities
- Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Learning Disabilities Association of America (Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia & Dyslexia)
- National Center for Learning Disabilities (Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia & Dyslexia)
Bipolar, Depression, PTSD & Anxiety Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America (anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, OCD, PTSD, etc.)
- The Balanced Mind Foundation (Bipolar & Depression)
- Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance
- International Bipolar Foundation
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Info
Borderline Personality Disorder
