Kappa Kappa Gamma Shows Support for Women’s Basketball and Mental Health

Kappa Kappa Gamma members at the Mental Health Awareness Basketball Game. Photo by: Ava Battinelli '26

If you were lucky enough to catch the Marist University women’s basketball game against Sacred Heart University, chances are you’d find a sea of blue shirts cheering as the Red Foxes put up point after point.  

On Feb. 27, Kappa Kappa Gamma teamed up with Student Government Services Athletic Affairs to host a mental health awareness game and encouraged students to show their Kappa Kappa Game (KKG) pride by wearing blue.  

“Mental health is not talked about enough and doesn’t gain enough support, so being a part of an organization that helps bring light to it is something I am so thankful for,” said Gianna Deitch ‘27, the vice president of external affairs for Marist’s chapter of KKG. 

The proceeds from the game’s 50/50 raffle were donated to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), the cause that KKG supports for their philanthropy of mental health awareness. 

Director of Philanthropy at KKG, Paige Mezey ‘27, stated, “We received baskets from athletics, booster club and donations from other greek life organizations.” 

The game was a success in various ways, with Marist leading 68-61 over Sacred Heart, and $300 being raised for mental health awareness. Maintaining mental health is a struggle that so many of us face, yet it can often go unnoticed and untreated.  

 KKG actively works to spread awareness and give people the help they need by fundraising for NAMI. According to nami.org, NAMI is the nation's largest non-profit organization for mental health and is “dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.”  

Their website alone offers an impressive number of resources for those who are personally struggling with mental health or whose loved ones are in need. They offer support and educational programs such as the Basics On-Demand Program for family members, the NAMI helpline, support groups and resource libraries.  

The love and support that the NAMI foundation stands for was beautifully represented in the crowd of KKG sisters and other Marist Greek life organizations as they supported a fellow empowering female organization.  

“Seeing all of Greek life come together to attend the game and send us donations was so special for us,” said Deitch. “One of the best parts of being a part of Greek Life is the relationships you make with the other organizations, and this game was a perfect example of everyone coming together for a greater cause.” 

“It was incredibly heartwarming having a great turnout and seeing people come together to watch and support the women’s basketball team,” added Mezey. 

Not only does KKG advocate for mental health awareness through donations to NAMI, but the sorority also offers a strong support system for those struggling all around us.  

“I have been struggling with my mental health for most of life, and joining Kappa has brought me an entire new support system that I am so grateful for,” said Deitch. 

This support doesn’t stop at sisterhood events. Mezey’s personal struggles with mental health have led her down an inspiring path of empathy. 

“I made it my goal to provide support and check in on those around me whenever and however I could,” she explained.  

“Mental health is not talked about enough and doesn’t gain enough support, so being a part of an organization that helps bring light to it is something I am so thankful for,” said Deitch.