Validate, Appreciate, and Refer

Sigma Nu is proud to join Alpha Chi Omega, Pi Kappa Phi, and Zeta Tau Alpha in partnership to collaborate with Active Minds in developing a new nationwide mental health campaign. The first of its kind, the resources are designed to teach fraternity and sorority collegiate members how to support a friend or loved one who may be struggling.

Many are surprised to learn that 39% of students in college experience a significant mental health issue. The importance of peer networks in supporting mental health is underlined by the fact that 76% of young adults turn to a friend first when they are struggling with their mental health – but an astonishing 61% of students do not feel prepared to help a friend who is struggling.

Active Minds collaborated with Alpha Chi Omega, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Nu, and Zeta Tau Alpha to introduce students to Active Minds’ active listening tool: Validate, Appreciate, Refer, or V-A-R, through a combination of posters, discussion guides, social media interaction, and an animated video. V-A-R is an easy way to show up for a friend, helping them cope when they may be having more than a bad day.

Active Minds’ V-A-R guide will help fraternity and sorority chapters facilitate an engaging and informative conversation about mental health with their fellow chapter members.

“With V-A-R, we hope to make clear that someone doesn’t need to be in a crisis to seek help, you don’t have to be an expert to provide help, and help can come in many different forms,” says Alison Malmon, Executive Director and Founder of Active Minds. “Being there for someone in a moment of need is what it’s all about.”

Sigma Nu, together with our fraternity/sorority partners and Active Minds, is committed to changing the conversation about mental health.

To view the full video, please visit activeminds.org/GreekLifeVAR. Password: GreekLifeVAR

Click here to download the corresponding discussion guide.