Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. hosts event at Boys & Girls Clubs
BY ELESE MCKINLEY
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — On May 6, the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc hosted a Mind Matters Workshop to promote mental health awareness among youth at the Opelika Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Alabama.
The event, developed to encourage open conversations within families about emotional well-being, was a collaborative effort between the AKA Sorority Mu Sigma Omega Chapter’s Empowering Our Family Committee, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Integrea Community Mental Health System and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
The workshop included age-specific group discussions, hands-on activities and educational presentations on topics such as stress, anxiety, self-care and seeking help.
Tanulyn McKinley, chairman, said the Empowering Our Family Committee is committed to actively seeking ways to provide essential resources for the club kids, underscoring its mission to support and uplift the youth in the community.
With May being recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, McKinley said it was especially important to hold an event that offered support to both youth and adults. By creating a space for shared learning and engagement, the workshop aimed to bridge generational gaps and promote healthy emotional habits among families.
The event began with an engaging presentation from prevention specialists Chris Perrier and Ashley Williams of Integrea. They addressed all attendees together before dividing the audience into smaller groups based primarily on age.
Each group received tailored discussions on topics such as understanding and managing stress, anxiety, coping skills, depression, promoting healthy relationships, self-care and seeking help. The specialists ensured each session was age-appropriate and interactive, creating a safe space for club kids to learn and share.
McKinley said that when discussing topics like mental health and anxiety, it is crucial to keep the audience engaged and involved to maintain their interest. She praised Perrier and Williams for their hands-on approach and their ability to connect with both children and adults.
“They were so engaging with the kids — playing games, encouraging them to express themselves freely and truly listening to what they had to say,” McKinley said. “For the younger children, they incorporated fun, age- appropriate activities that kept them interested and involved. They did an awesome job. It was truly dynamic.”
The Empowering Our Youth Committee provided attendees with affirmation bracelets, encouragement cards and journals to write down their thoughts and goals. McKinley said she hopes participants walked away from the event knowing that they are cared for, that they matter and that maintaining good mental health requires effort.
“What stood out to me the most was the support from our chapter members and the students’ willingness to listen, learn and truly engage,” she said. “They left believing they are capable, they are loved and they are truly awesome human beings.”
Janataka Holmes, director of the Opelika Clubhouse, expressed hope that the event will become an annual tradition. She emphasized the importance of providing consistent support and mental health education for youth and said the goal is to continue creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard and valued.
The “Mind Matters” Organizers hope the event inspires families to continue important conversations about mental health at home and encourages both youth and adults to prioritize emotional well-being through intentional, everyday practices.
