Brotherhood Begins with Caring for One Another

At Sigma Nu, we believe that developing ethical leaders requires caring for the whole person. Leadership, academic success, and lifelong achievement all begin with physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

College can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—times in a young man’s life. Academic pressure, changing relationships, financial concerns, family responsibilities, and the transition to adulthood can all affect mental health. No one should face those challenges alone.

Brotherhood means looking out for one another. It means having difficult conversations, recognizing when someone needs support, and encouraging brothers to seek help when they need it. Together, we strive to create chapters where every member feels connected, valued, and supported.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.

Reach out to a trusted brother, chapter advisor, university counseling center, campus health office, or another qualified mental health professional. Asking for help is a sign of courage—not weakness.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional distress, or thoughts of suicide, help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By simply dialing or texting 988, you can connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a nationwide network of trained crisis counselors who provide free, confidential support to anyone in need. Whether you are facing a personal crisis or are concerned about someone else, compassionate help is only a call or text away.

To learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the services it provides, visit 988lifeline.org.

Resources

Behind Happy Faces

Many people who struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges appear outwardly successful while quietly carrying significant emotional burdens.

To help members better recognize those hidden struggles, Sigma Nu partnered with the Human Power Project to provide the Behind Happy Faces educational program for collegiate members, chapter officers, advisors, and volunteers. The program helps participants:

  • Understand common mental health challenges facing college students.
  • Recognize warning signs that someone may need help.
  • Learn how to begin supportive conversations.
  • Connect brothers with appropriate campus and community resources.

By increasing awareness and confidence, Behind Happy Faces empowers brothers to care for one another before a crisis occurs.

Access curriculum and Behind Happy Faces resources within Sigma Nu Portal

V-A-R (Validate, Appreciate, and Refer)

Sigma Nu is proud to partner with Alpha Chi Omega, Pi Kappa Phi, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Active Minds on a nationwide mental health awareness initiative designed to equip fraternity and sorority members with the tools and confidence to support friends and loved ones who may be struggling with their mental health.

Mental health challenges are a significant concern among college students. Research indicates that 39% of college students experience a significant mental health issue, while 76% of young adults turn to a friend first when struggling with their mental health. Despite the importance of these peer relationships, 61% of students report feeling unprepared to help a friend in need.

To help bridge this gap, Active Minds collaborated with our interfraternal partners to introduce Validate, Appreciate, Refer (V-A-R), a simple, accessible active listening tool that empowers students to support one another through difficult moments.

V-A-R emphasizes three essential steps:

  • Validate: Acknowledge someone’s feelings and experiences without judgment.
  • Appreciate: Recognize the courage it takes to share personal struggles and express gratitude for their trust.
  • Refer: Connect the individual with appropriate resources and additional support when needed.

Through educational posters, chapter discussion guides, social media resources, and an animated video, the initiative helps fraternity and sorority members recognize when someone may need support and respond with empathy and understanding. The accompanying V-A-R discussion guide provides chapters with a practical framework for facilitating meaningful conversations about mental health and strengthening a culture of care within their brotherhood or sisterhood.

“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,” said Alison Malmon, Founder and Executive Director of Active Minds. “Being there for someone in a moment of need is what it’s all about.”

Together with Active Minds and our interfraternal partners, Sigma Nu remains committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging open conversations, and empowering members to look out for one another.

Explore the V-A-R Resources