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DKG Practice/Program

Awareness and Action to Achieve the

Well-Being of DKG Members

By Elizabeth Tarner, Debra Pajula, Carol Linscott, Cynthia Moore, and Beverley H. Johns

“Mid 2022–2023 school year, a teacher emotionally shared with her class
that it was to be her last day. The stress to do everything expected for her job
brought her to a breaking point. She was physically and emotionally exhausted.
She quit her job in order to get professional mental health help.”
This story told by a U.S. Forum panel member speaks to the need for Delta Kappa Gamma members to
address the topic of wellness. Awareness and action are the key ingredients in implementing wellness,
both physical and mental, for members in DKG. If we
want to be thriving members of our society and encourage
others in their quest for well-being, we must focus on both
ingredients.
In DKG, we realize our purpose is twofold: building
a knowledge base through awareness and providing
tools for our members to take action. Both components
were emphasized by the U.S. Forum panel at the 2023
International Conference in Detroit, Michigan. Featured
speakers were Elizabeth Tarner, Carol Linscott, Cynthia
Moore, and Debra Pajula, with Bev Johns serving as
moderator. Collectively, these panel members have well
over 150 years of experience in working with individuals U.S. Forum panel members Cyndy Moore,
within schools and other workplaces who have had or Carol Linscott, Beverley Johns, Debbie
continue to have stressors that threaten their mental Pajula, and Elizabeth Tarner shared wellness
wellness. expertise.

Awareness: Why Mental Health Support Is So Important
Because of the pandemic, DKG members have become increasingly aware of engaging in practices
that promote wellness. The pandemic resulted in changes in how people interacted with each other, in
social isolation, and in an increase in societal conflict, all having an impact on mental health and pointing
to the need for mental wellness (Diegmueller, 2023). Mental health issues increased during this time
and have been on the rise globally (Stephenson, 2021). Anxiety and depression increased (Hughes et
al., 2021). Some individuals got out of the habit of taking care of themselves, and some individuals shut
themselves off from social contact. Common mental health disorders, which include anxiety disorders and
depressive disorders, surged (Stephenson, 2021). People were grieving for family and friends they had lost
and grieving about events they missed—the losses of personal interactions and connections.
Some DKG members did not interact with others during the pandemic—not even participating in
Zoom meetings or conference calls. They withdrew socially and emotionally from others for several
reasons. Isolated members may have needed our help and may have appreciated something as simple as a
“thinking of you” card.
Other members flourished with support from their DKG state organization or chapter that kept them
connected through Zooms, handwritten communication, networking, and challenges. The pandemic was
an opportunity for them to make intentional connections. Chapters continued connecting with the priority

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