KKG hosts mental health walk to support JED Foundation
Ana Garcia - Contributing Writer
Monmouth College’s chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma held its annual Mental Health Awareness Walk on Friday, September 12, the first day of Family Weekend. The event brought together students, families, and community members for a one mile walk around campus.
Photos by Ana Garcia.
The free walk asked for donations to the JED Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. This year, the chapter raised
$141.24 in donations.
“Our philanthropy is so important to myself and all of our members,” said Chapter President Lily Fleming. “Mental health affects everyone, and it is so important for everyone to be talking about it.”
Philanthropy Director Ella D’Incognito organized this year’s event, continuing the tradition started by former Philanthropy Director Hannah McGhee. McGhee said of hosting the walk during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. “I think it’s so important that, especially during the month of September, we focus on mental health…To see this event being done again makes me happy because I’m hopeful it’s something we can continue to grow support for. We had even more people than last year, which really made me happy.”
McGhee said that the impact of the walk is visible across campus. “It’s a powerful message when you see a big group moving through campus and people ask, ‘What are they doing?’ Once they learn it’s for mental health awareness, it really does bring attention to the cause.”
With the support of both new and returning participants, Kappa Kappa Gamma hopes to expand the event in years to come, continuing to highlight the importance of mental health conversations on campus and beyond.
