Kappa’s First Mental Health & Well-being Endowment
College students across North America are battling a mental health crisis. Anxiety and depression rates are at an all-time high. The academic, social, and financial pressures are real and they’re taking a toll on our students. To make matters worse, college counseling centers are overwhelmed. Long wait lists and understaffed facilities contribute to the pervasive sense of burnout. The Kappa Foundation refuses to accept this as the new normal. Together, we’re committed to helping Kappas pursue lives fully lived.
The Foundation actively supports Kappa’s mental health and well-being philanthropy initiatives. Through Foundation-funded programming, we are committed to making an impact on the mental health and well-being of our members and communities.
We are not alone in this endeavor. We’re pleased to announce that sisters Kelley Busby and Kiki Busby Simpson, both Oklahoma, have made a $1 million commitment to the Kappa Foundation’s mental health and well-being programming. This generous endowment gift will significantly enhance the resources available to support mental well-being within our sisterhood.
Kiki has a teenage daughter, and as Kelley and Kiki watched her peer group navigate the societal stressors of school, social media, and cliques, they recognized the profound impact it all has on one’s mental health. These challenges loom around the corner for the next generation of Kappa women. The Busby sisters understand the value of Kappa’s philanthropic programming, which includes teaching members healthy practices and providing necessary resources. They knew they wanted to contribute and make a difference.
The charitable spirit runs in the family. Kelley and Kiki’s gift was in part inspired by their mother Karen Sanders Busby’s, Oklahoma, own gift to the Beta Theta housing project in 2019. The two sisters wanted to do something a little different while still making an impact in moving Kappa forward. When they thought about it, mental health was a universal problem they knew needed to be addressed, Kelley and Kiki said.
Their $1 million commitment will enable Kappa to expand existing programs and develop new ones tailored to the ever-evolving mental health and well-being needs of its members. Kappa’s mental health programming will offer a comprehensive approach to promoting mental wellness, including educational workshops for collegians, volunteers, and alumnae, and free or discounted access to online therapy services for all members. Together, we continue to live fully in the service of others, shape the future of Kappa, and empower future generations to prioritize their mental health and well-being.
