Nicholas Ullery-Pintilie
North Lawn Hall.
Empowering Conversations on Relationships
The Kappa Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity organized an event titled “Real Talk: Relationships Unfiltered,” in collaboration with the Women and Gender Resource Center, on Monday. This initiative featured a series of presentations aiming to foster the development and sustenance of healthy relationships.
Supportive Resources Distributed
Attendees received complimentary packages containing candy, contraceptives, and a card detailing essential safety resources.
Voices from the Community
Aarianne Toliver, a freshman nursing major and member of Women of Excellence, highlighted the challenges many face regarding domestic violence, stating, “A lot of people struggle with that, and a lot of people don’t have anybody to talk to or get advice from.”
Awareness and Safety
Aniya Lowery, a junior studying public health and student assistant for the WGRC, led the first session, which focused on safety protocols and available resources for individuals dealing with substance abuse or relationship abuse.
Commitment to Holistic Well-Being
The Women and Gender Resource Center, as outlined on their website, employs a “multifaceted approach to foster a campus environment that values holistic well-being, safety, inclusion, leadership, mentorship, and collaboration.”
Celebrate Black History Month
The WGRC plans to host numerous events throughout February in honor of Black History Month. Lowery emphasized her presentation’s dual aims: to raise awareness about upcoming events and to encourage students to engage with the WGRC.
Scholarship Opportunities
The WGRC also offers scholarships to support undergraduate students who have accessed counseling services due to experiences with interpersonal violence.
Understanding Relationship Dynamics
The second presentation was delivered by Kaimen Howard, a licensed marriage and family therapist and University of Alabama psychology graduate. Howard’s interactive session encouraged attendees to share their beliefs about stigmas, boundaries, and behaviors related to relationships, providing vital insights into what constitutes a healthy partnership.
Healthy vs. Toxic Relationships
Highlighting key differences, Howard stated, “It’s you and your partner versus the problem, not you versus your partner,” underscoring the importance of teamwork in relationships. He also addressed red flags indicative of toxic partnerships, including poor communication, self-neglect to appease a partner, addiction issues, and the emergence of external romantic interests.
Breaking Stigmas
He further noted that harmful stigmas, such as the fear of expressing emotions due to concerns of appearing weak, can foster tension and resentment between partners. Recognizing these signals can empower individuals facing relationship challenges to evaluate their circumstances and opt for healthier choices.
Campus Resources Available
“If it’s not a healthy relationship, this is something that we can offer on campus to help you,” Lowery added, emphasizing the available support systems for those in need.
