Mental Health

What is Greek Life?

Joining a Fraternity or Sorority can be one of the most rewarding and growing experiences. Taking on a leadership role in an organization can change your undergraduate experience and teach you more about who you are. These organizations can can create a support system, and develop leadership skills. However, some members of Greek Life may be faced with specific stressors at times. Greeks are expected to uphold high GPAs, attend events, and be active within the community. We are here to support you as a Greek community and with our resources on campus and to help you make a connection with our health and wellness resources on campus. They can assist Greek or prospective Greek members with managing any difficulties that may occur within Greek involvement. Some of the most common difficulties are addressed below:

What are some areas in which you might need help?

Academic Difficulties

College is challenging for everyone, but as a busy member of a sorority or fraternity you may face some unique challenges. The Academic Enhancement Center along with the Early Alert Services can help you if you are having difficulty adjusting, setting boundaries to get work done, need to learn better time management skills / study habits, or if you are having difficulty paying attention in class and concentrating on your work. Staying strong academically is important for Greek students. Fraternities and sororities typically have a minimum GPA requirement to join, as well as to remain an active member.

Finances

Most sororities and fraternities have semester or annual fees, which pay for events, memorabilia, and dues to one’s national organization. Fees will range in amount and frequency. Many organizations may offer scholarships or payment plans to help with costs. Discuss any options your organization might offer to make the financial obligation more comfortable. Budgeting in general can be difficult while a student. If financial concerns are causing significant distress, you may want to consider speaking with an individual counselor in Enrollment Services, attending a workshop on finances, or meet with the Dean of Students Office for financial emergencies. Our Greek community also offers a Greeks Give Back scholarship, where if you have experienced crisis you may be afforded financial assistance.

Depression

Depression is more than just temporary sadness or “the blues.” It can affect your mood, concentration, sleep, activity level, interests and behavior. If you think you may be suffering from depression please contact the counseling center, health services, or outreach and intervention, along with other mental health providers. If you are still unsure of your symptoms, please take this confidential, anonymous screening. Although this will not substitute for advice from your health provider, it may give you a better understanding of how your symptoms are affecting you and hopefully encourage you to seek help.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Members of social Greek organizations may use more drugs and alcohol than students not involved in these organizations. Alcohol and drug use during college can have negative side effects. Sometimes when people are having difficulties, they may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their problems. Not only does this not help the problem, it can create more issues. Dealing with college stressors is not easy. Remember that asking for assistance is a sign of strength, not weakness. Take a free and confidential alcohol-screening test here and consider meeting with Substance Abuse Prevention Services, who provides trainings for each Greek chapter yearly.

Anxiety

The responsibilities as a student, as well as a Greek member or leader, can lead to stress. When stress goes untreated, it can deepen into anxiety. Anxiety can be experienced via panic attacks, compulsions, uncontrollable thoughts, or racing thoughts. If you are experiencing any symptoms like these that are interfering with your daily life and even your relationships, it is time to get help. These problems are not uncommon, but can have devastating effects if left untreated. Take this free and confidential screening to see if you are experiencing significant anxiety symptoms.

Tips for Busy Greek Members

Your job is to be a student.

Get organized. First, when it comes to school work, know what is expected and when it’s due; keep a calendar or diary noting critical due dates for assigned homework. Jot down meetings and academic schedules as well so you’ll know ahead of time when you’ll be busy. A daily scheduling calendar with the days broken down into one-hour increments is a great tool for organizing your day and keeping track of what lies ahead. Also see when you can incorporate that “me time” into your schedule. Even just 5 minutes to listen to your favorite song or try deep breathing techniques on a busy day can make a huge difference!

Be proactive. Prioritized school assignments based on due dates and the time needed to complete the work. Examine your calendar for free time and make notes in the open time slots detailing which assignment you’ll use that time to work on. Determine beforehand any resources you’ll need to complete your work (books, materials, partner participation) and make arrangements ahead of time to ensure you are prepared. Most importantly, keep your commitment to yourself and spend the allotted time working on the project you promised yourself you’d be doing. An hour wasted is one you can never get back! Plan short breaks (not vacations) to make the time you study more effective.

Learn to communicate. Despite your best efforts there might be times when you get behind. If you see problems on the horizon, this is the time to talk to your teachers, parents, and brothers or sisters about how to address it. More often than not, teachers will work with you if you tell them ahead of time that you’ve got conflicts that might prevent you from completing an assignment on time. If you wait until the due date to inform anyone, it is a rare teacher that will cut you any slack! Advisors and parents can be a great resource in helping you work with your teachers to ensure you stay on track.

Make the most of failure. Many college freshmen experience some kind of difficulty in their first semester. For some, it’s a low grade on an exam or paper; for others, it’s just feeling lost or overwhelmed in their new surroundings. Resist the temptation to give up. Make a realistic assessment of where you went wrong: Did you spend enough time studying? Did you ask questions in class? Did you visit the professor during office hours for extra help? Then take the steps necessary to correct the problem, right away.

How can I help a brother or sister?

Brothers and sisters often turn to their own peers for support. If a peer has come to you, consider it a sign of trust and strength. Many people are unsure of how to respond. Here is a list of helpful pointers when considering how best to help a friend, brother, or sister:

Stop what you are doing, look at the person, and simply listen.
Listen and accept what you are given. Ask questions for clarification without judging. One of the biggest mistakes someone can make is to respond as if the problem is a sign of weakness or unimportant or trivial.
When it appears the person has finished talking, ask if there is anything else he/she needs to say. Sometimes listening is enough.
Indicate you are glad he/she came to you and you want to help. Don’t assume, but clarify what help the person may want.
Make the necessary referral and encourage/support its acceptance. Looking over the possible resources and seeing what might be best for the individual is important. If you believe the individual could use more assistance fill out the Early Alert form.
Know your limits. Be aware of what help is reasonable to expect from you. If you do not feel as though you can provide the help your chaptermate needs, know your resources and/or contact Outreach and Intervention to discuss how you can help!

Resources:
This resource was modified from the University of Houston Counseling and Psychological Services website: http://www.uh.edu/caps/resources/greek_life.html