Pace said representatives from other chapters across the nation have contacted him and are watching to see if the Fort Worth chapter\u2019s event will be a success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the guinea pigs. We\u2019re stepping out there,\u201d Pace said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
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A flyer announces the Are You OK? wellness fair happening on Sept. 27, 2025. (Courtesy image | Fort Worth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi)<\/p>\n
The national organization, which comprises nearly 700 local chapters, started Are You OK? to highlight the growing mental health concerns within the Black community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Black men are less likely to seek out mental health services, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/a>. The suicide rate among Black youth is increasing higher than any other ethnic group, according to a report<\/a> from the federal Congressional Black Caucus.<\/p>\n The national organization started the initiative last year in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson, providing mental health resources internally to fraternity members and encouraging general awareness within local chapters.<\/p>\n At a basic level, asking the question, \u201cAre you OK?\u201d was advocated.<\/p>\n Pace views the query as an easy way to make a person self-evaluate how they are doing.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople mask it in different ways, right? Whether it\u2019s through food or work or just being busy and not allowing their mind to slow down to think about it,\u201d Pace said. \u201cBut when someone asks a person, \u2018Are you OK?\u2019 then it is an immediate self-reflection.\u201d<\/p>\n By opening up the question to the community, alongside resources that may not be easily accessible to them otherwise, chapter leaders hope the fair will be the first step toward people in the community seeking support.<\/p>\n \u201cThe primary reason why we may not be where we could be is because we\u2019re only having certain conversations behind four walls. So just coming out and actually having professionals to talk to, to let them know what\u2019s going on with you \u2026 it\u2019s a big help,\u201d said Anthony Franklin, wellness committee chair of the Fort Worth chapter.<\/p>\n The local chapter has not hosted a mental and financial health event before but is no stranger to providing community support. Around the start of the school year, it provided kids with free haircuts. The chapter gives away free turkeys around Thanksgiving.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pace and Franklin hope the event will be large enough of a success to require a bigger space next year.<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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