North Carolina State University Athletics
Student-Athletes Make #STATEment on Mental Health and Encourage Peers to #StoptheStigma
4/11/2018 8:48:00 AM | Pack Athletics
RALEIGH, N.C. - Eager to join in the national conversation on athletes and mental health, a group of NC State University student-athletes challenged their peers to change the way they think and talk about mental health and well-being. In an effort to change the culture around vulnerability and authenticity, the students chose to share their stories to create their own #StoptheStigma PSA.
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"We wanted other student-athletes to know that they are not alone and to see themselves as more than just athletes," said Bethany Neeley, graduate student studying Parks, Recreation, and Tourism on the cross country/track & field teams.
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"We go through highs and lows, just like normal people," added Ryan Finley, graduate student in liberal studies the Wolfpack's starting quarterback on the football field.Â
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AJ Cole III, SAAC VP and punter of the footall Team, spearheaded the initiative after he and fellow SAAC members had a talk with Dr. Michelle Joshua, Director of Sport Psychology, about the importance of mental health and ways to promote well-being in our department.
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"The talk got me thinking about the stigmas that surround mental health and how it just isn't talked about enough," said Cole. "We hoped that by sharing our personal experiences, others would know that they are not alone and that it's okay to get help."
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The purpose of the video is to encourage others to share their stories as well.
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The PSA debuted on March 19th, 2018, to an audience of more than 500 of their student-athlete peers, at the outset of a talk given by Chamique Holdsclaw, former Olympic Gold Medalist and WNBA Rookie of the Year. Holdsclaw, who for years hid her own mental health struggles, is now on a mission to encourage the next generation of student-athletes to not make the same mistakes she did - to share their stories, be vulnerable with their peers, and to ask for help when they need it.Â
"This conversation about mental health isn't over; it's actually just starting," stated Kia Rankin, a business administration major on the women's soccer team."
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Another video idea is already in the works. Student-athletes who are interested in joining this #StoptheStigma initiative are encouraged to contact Dr. Joshua at mdjoshua@ncsu.edu for more information.
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"We wanted other student-athletes to know that they are not alone and to see themselves as more than just athletes," said Bethany Neeley, graduate student studying Parks, Recreation, and Tourism on the cross country/track & field teams.
Â
"We go through highs and lows, just like normal people," added Ryan Finley, graduate student in liberal studies the Wolfpack's starting quarterback on the football field.Â
Â
AJ Cole III, SAAC VP and punter of the footall Team, spearheaded the initiative after he and fellow SAAC members had a talk with Dr. Michelle Joshua, Director of Sport Psychology, about the importance of mental health and ways to promote well-being in our department.
Â
"The talk got me thinking about the stigmas that surround mental health and how it just isn't talked about enough," said Cole. "We hoped that by sharing our personal experiences, others would know that they are not alone and that it's okay to get help."
Â
The purpose of the video is to encourage others to share their stories as well.
Â
The PSA debuted on March 19th, 2018, to an audience of more than 500 of their student-athlete peers, at the outset of a talk given by Chamique Holdsclaw, former Olympic Gold Medalist and WNBA Rookie of the Year. Holdsclaw, who for years hid her own mental health struggles, is now on a mission to encourage the next generation of student-athletes to not make the same mistakes she did - to share their stories, be vulnerable with their peers, and to ask for help when they need it.Â
"This conversation about mental health isn't over; it's actually just starting," stated Kia Rankin, a business administration major on the women's soccer team."
Â
Another video idea is already in the works. Student-athletes who are interested in joining this #StoptheStigma initiative are encouraged to contact Dr. Joshua at mdjoshua@ncsu.edu for more information.
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