whole being athlete Archives - Athletes for Hope

AFH Announces Six Additional Mental Health Ambassadors

Posted: July 16, 2024 Updated: July 16, 2024 by kReeves

Meet the New Whole Being Athlete Ambassadors!

Athletes for Hope (AFH) is excited to announce the addition of six additional mental health ambassadors to its Whole Being Athlete program. This dynamic group of Olympic and professional athletes, hailing from a diverse array of sports, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the initiative. Their commitment to promoting mental health awareness in and out of the athletic community is set to make a significant impact, furthering AFH’s mission to inspire and empower athletes to give back to their communities.

Meet our new ambassadors below and get to know the 18 other ambassadors here.

Sierra is a professional soccer player for the San Diego Wave. She won a National Championship while playing at Stanford University in 2019 and was a two-year team captain. She is passionate about creating spaces for people to share experiences so that no one feels alone. Additionally, Sierra loves mentoring and speaking on identity, confidence and managing mistakes.

Cal (they/he) is a trans marathoner, inclusivity activist, educator, community builder, and poet. He competed at Saint Louis University, then went on to advocate for non-binary divisions in races. Cal won first place in the 2023 New York City Marathon, the 2022 San Francisco Marathon, and the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon. He took second place at the 2022 Chicago Marathon and the 2023 Boston Marathon. Cal wants to open up more conversations to destigmatize mental health at the intersection of various identities. Through storytelling, they believe we can generate more belonging and more hope for all athletes.

Manteo is an Olympic Silver Medalist, World and US Champion in track and field. He’s also a member of the US Bobsled team, where he’s aiming to make history by becoming just the 7th person to medal in both the Summer and Winter Games. He’d also become the very first African-American male to accomplish the feat! When he’s not chasing records, you can find him running around the world with his family. Manteo is an advocate for health and wellness. He spends most of his time away from training/competing as a motivational speaker and ambassador for many brands and causes with the youth and next generation.

Manteo Mitchell Bobsled and Track & Field

Matt began his football journey at Duke University, where he studied Psychology and Human Development. During his time at Duke, he became a three-year starter, captain, All-American, and All-ACC selection. Despite going undrafted, he launched his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, playing for eight years with four teams.

Through his academic and athletic experiences, Matt recognized the importance of strong mental health practices linked to high performance. His journey took a personal turn with the tragic loss of his father to suicide in March 2022. This pain fueled his passion to impact athletes at all levels, sharing his experiences with mental health and his athletic journey. Matt is dedicated to promoting resilience, awareness, and support for mental well-being in sports.

Isabelle “Izzy” Connor is a Tokyo 2021 Olympian in Rhythmic Gymnastics. She is a 5x Pan American Games medalist, multiple time World Cup and Grand Prix finalist and has been on 3 World Championship teams. Her team made history by achieving the first top-ten world championship ranking in US Rhythmic Gymnastics history. She trained and competed on the US national team from 2017 until her retirement in 2024. Izzy is pursuing a degree in Astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz where she is a published student researcher. She also coaches young gymnasts. Having gone through her own struggles with anxiety and depression as an elite athlete, she has been a voice of advocacy and change within the culture of gymnastics, and in the athlete mental health movement. She is passionate about mentorship, furthering the mental health movement, and creating equity in STEM.

Blake played soccer at the University of Mary and retired from professional soccer in 2021.

He is dedicated to ending the stigma around mental health and advocating for those in need. As the creator of the INTRA blog and the Instagram page @intratogether, he actively engages in mental health initiatives with our partners, participates in community events, and shares advocacy messages on social media.

Despite aiming for a long-term professional soccer career, Blake faced mental health struggles such as self-doubt, depression, stress, and anxiety, which led to burnout and the decision to step away from the sport. Recognizing the growing impact of mental health issues on athletes, Blake aims to raise awareness through personal stories and relevant topics.

About Whole Being Athlete Ambassadors

Whole Being Athlete Ambassadors participate in mental health initiatives with our partners, join community events, and share advocacy messages on social media. They serve as a mental health advocates for various charities and organizations, engage in storytelling, and connect with other athlete ambassadors to discuss mental health concerns and resources.

Mental Health Matters, Always

Posted: May 31, 2024 Updated: May 31, 2024 by kReeves

Proudly Recapping AFH’s 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month

by Hailey Wetherill, MSSW

Why It Matters

In the realm of sports, mental resilience is often equated with athletic prowess. Athletes, recognized for their strong, steady minds that equip them for high performance and achievement, are perceived to be beacons of health and strength. However, beneath this facade lies the stark reality: athletes are just as susceptible to mental health disorders as the general population.

Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a state of well-being enabling individuals to cope with life stressors, mental health encompasses much more than just the absence of illness. It is the foundation of an individual’s ability to function, thrive, and contribute to society. Unfortunately, for athletes, this foundation is often misunderstood or neglected.

Traditionally, sports psychology has focused on enhancing athletic performance rather than nurturing the holistic well-being of individuals. Athletes are often viewed solely through the lens of their athletic achievements, meaning that their humanity is often overshadowed by their athletic abilities. This narrow perspective has left a gap between the support athletes of all levels need and the support they receive.

The absence of a structured system for mental health screening, intervention, and support at elite levels of athletics exacerbates the issue. While organizations like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) have started to acknowledge the mental health needs of student-athletes, there is still a lack of comprehensive support frameworks. Despite the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among athletes – ranging from anxiety and depression to disordered eating and burnout – meaningful policy changes have been slow to materialize.

Legislation such as the “Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act” and the “Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020” have made strides in safeguarding athletes from abuse. However, there are still wide gaps that persist around mental health support and resources.

Change Isn’t On It’s Way, It’s Here

In recent years, prominent athletes like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Kevin Love have courageously spoken out about their struggles and shed light on the pervasive issues of athlete mental health. Yet, for every voice that is heard, countless other athletes suffer in silence. The stigma surrounding mental health in sports remains a formidable barrier to progress in the field which is why Athletes for Hope (AFH) launched Whole Being Athlete in May 2021.

Addressing the current athlete mental health crisis requires a multifaceted approach. We started this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month by hosting Athlete Mental Health Week, alongside Hilinski’s Hope, and more recently, we held our second Athlete Mental Health Advocacy Day on May 21, at the U.S Capitol in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the event was to bring together athletes, mental health partners, and members of the Athlete Mental Health Alliance (AMHA) to advocate towards recognizing National Athlete Mental Health as a Basic Human Right.

The event was a tremendous success, with 68 registrants participating in a day of meaningful discussions, impactful legislative visits, and community-building activities. Some of the most notable moments occurred during our Town Hall conversation, led by Colton Underwood. The Town Hall featured personal stories and expert insights from two distinguished panels of speakers. These panels included Rawle Andrews, Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF); Gina and Steve Meyer from Katie’s Save; Carin Gabarra, a retired USWNT player and head coach of the U.S. Naval Academy Soccer; Awvee Storey, a retired NBA player currently working in Corporate Sponsorships for the Chicago Sky; and Jaala James, an alumna of Howard University lacrosse.

In addition to our panels, participants engaged in over 20 legislative visits and dropped off folders at more than 20 other critical legislative offices, advocating for National Athlete Mental Health as a Basic Human Right. You can find the legislative platform from the day here and view the virtual Advocacy Toolkit with event materials and advocacy resources.

Join the Movement with Athletes for Hope

To sustain the momentum of advancing athlete mental health, AFH has created an Athlete Mental Health Petition to establish a framework supporting athletes at all levels–from youth sports programs to professional leagues. We believe that all athletes have the right to:

Mental health support for performance on and off the field
Timely referrals to mental health experts for psychological disorders and conditions
Training, education and awareness focused on the importance of mental wellness, identifying mental health conditions, and finding mental health resources
Coaches and trainers who are trauma-informed and some level of mental health training
Equal and equitable access to mental health screenings, treatment and education
Healthy bodies and healthy body images
Support in career transition
Adequately manage injury
Confidential access to mental health services
Support for athletes, coaches and teams after loss of life
Funding towards impact and outcomes research on athlete mental health
Positive and healthy coach-to-player relationships

As we reflect on the challenges facing athlete mental health, it is clear that a transformative shift is needed in how we support those who dedicate themselves to sport. It is important that we continue to stand together to ensure athletes receive the support they deserve, on and off the field. By advocating for comprehensive mental health frameworks and rights, we can create a culture where athletes thrive not only in their athletic pursuits but also in their overall well-being. Join Athletes for Hope today by signing on to our Athlete Mental Health Petition to build a brighter future for athlete mental health.

AFH News

Posted: October 6, 2023 Updated: October 6, 2023 by Hannah Bronkema

Athletes, Mental Health & How AFH is Addressing the Stigma

Reflecting on our work in advance of World Mental Health Day Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

One in five adults experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives. For athletes, the issue of mental health is even more prevalent with around 35% of elite athletes suffering from burnout, eating disorders, and/or anxiety and depression. On the collegiate side, data suggests out of the general student population experiencing mental health challenges, 30% of them seek help, whereas out of the student-athlete population, only 10% do.¹Furthermore, suicide is the third leading cause of death among athletes.²

Performance anxiety, relentless pressure, and the emotional turmoil that can follow a career-ending injury can significantly impact an athlete’s mental well-being. These facts underscore that mental health isn’t a trivial matter; rather, it stands as a crucial element affecting an athlete’s performance and overall wellness.

As we approach World Mental Health Day on October 10, Athletes for Hope (AFH) is underlining its dedication to emphasizing the importance of mental health in both athletics and society at large. Led by our Whole Being Athlete Program and our 22 Mental Health Ambassadors, our goal is to create and strengthen a network that inspires and activates a robust community to break down existing stigmas of mental health, in and out of sports. Since the inception of the program in 2021 and the addition of our Mental Health Champions Club in 2023, we have aimed to make a significant impact through various initiatives, always focused on changing the stigma around mental health by empowering athletes of all backgrounds to advocate for systemic change.

Education: We collaborate with organizations and experts in the field to provide athletes with training, resources and support. This ensures they have access to the tools necessary to address their mental health needs – and to support others – through our Mental Health Resource Hub.

Storytelling: We believe that sharing stories and opening up conversations about mental health is an enormous part of the work to break down the stigma. We feature athlete-written mental health stories and panel discussions, giving athletes a platform to share their stories, advocate for change, and find community with each other.

Convening: AFH works to spread awareness in communities by hosting and supporting events nationwide, including the first Athlete Mental Health Advocacy Day at the U.S. Capitol this May and by holding monthly or quarterly committee meetings with our advocates, athletes, and key stakeholders.

Advocacy: Initiatives such as the Mental Health Champions Club and the Pledge to Reach Out are using the power of sports to bring wellness, kindness, and self-care tips to our community members. We work every single day to convene athletes and organizations that work every day to strengthen athlete mental health collectively.

AFH’s commitment to mental health in athletics is not just a matter of advocacy; it’s a matter of fundamental importance. As research shows, mental well-being significantly impacts athletics performance, and by extension, it touches the lives of millions who look up to these athletes. With an estimated 55% of kids in the U.S. participating in youth sports programs, there is a remarkable number of young people looking to elite athletes as role models in how they manage their careers, community, and mental health. It is critical that youth today have access to resources and support through their mental health journeys.

This World Mental Health Day, we invite you to join us in recognizing the profound significance of mental health in athletics and beyond. Together, we can create a world where mental health is prioritized, the stigma is eliminated, and support is readily available to all. Athletes for Hope stands strong in this mission, and we invite you to stand with us.

Putt For Passion

Athletes for Hope’s first annual golf tournament is an afternoon to celebrate, recognize and appreciate the power of the athletic spirit in making the world a better place through community service and advocacy.
We invite you to join us in person to support our organization’s efforts to educate, inspire and connect athletes to underserved communities throughout the U.S. and beyond.

Mental Health Athlete Spotlight

Posted: July 8, 2022 Updated: July 15, 2022 by kReeves

Finding A Sense of Self Before Life After Hockey Begins

By Terra Lanteigne

Terra is a professional ice hockey player with the Boston region of the PWHPA as well as a Whole Being Athlete Ambassador. She attended the Rochester Institute of Technology where she pursued her degree while serving as goaltender and assistant captain for the school’s Division I hockey program. She is also a Mechanical Engineer.

My name is Terra Lanteigne, and I am a professional hockey player.

A year ago, I stepped away from sport for the first time and found myself in a battle with anxiety, depression and an identity crisis. Even though I have since returned to athletics, my experiences have taught me how to cope with my eventual (permanent) retirement, whenever that may be, and to be confident in my transition to life after sport. This is my story.

Terra in her hockey gear on the ice, looking around a hockey goal

I finally had the free time I had dreamed about but instead of filling it with friends, excitement, and adventures, it brought on a constant sense of anxiety.
Terra Lanteigne

Photo credit: Heather Pollock

Hockey has always been a major part of my life and my sense of self. I never missed a season since I started playing at 8 years old, and many of those years I played through both the winter and summer. I wanted to be the best, and I loved the thrill of chasing that next level of achievement. I always saw my path with hockey.

But by my 4th year of college, I was burnt out. Physically, from playing/training 6 days a week and fighting through injuries I knew needed attention, but also mentally. Behind the smiles, the captaincy, the stats and the awards, I was drained. I didn’t want to quit, but the losing seasons, grueling schedule, schoolwork, and lack of a break took its toll. With my NCAA eligibility coming to an end, but with several post-college playing options available, I made the decision to take my first year without organized hockey in 14 years.

My final season came and went, and for the first few weeks I was relieved. I got to spend more time with my friends than ever before, started planning trips, and taking some well-deserved rest. And then the pandemic hit.

Spring sports had their season canceled, campus closed for the semester, and my plans evaporated. Suddenly I had nothing in my schedule, and no discernible goals to work towards. I finally had the free time I had dreamed about but instead of filling it with friends, excitement, and adventures, it brought on a constant sense of anxiety.

A defender is in front of Terra, who is in goal during an ice hockey game

I told myself others had it worse than me, and I suffered in silence until I eventually opened up and decided to recognize the importance of my mental health.
Terra Lanteigne

Photo credit: Heather Pollock

I didn’t have a job lined up, and I was graduating soon. What was I doing wrong? Was it because I lacked something to set me apart? Really, what was unique about me other than the fact I played hockey? Who was I if not an athlete? Stress filled the gaps in my day that used to be dedicated to training, travel, competition, and physical recovery. I had hobbies, I was aware that life did not need to end with my playing career, but I couldn’t find anything that felt worthwhile or motivating. I grew frustrated with myself for not appreciating the time off, sad thinking about how lost I felt, and eventually sunk into a numbness that made getting out of bed difficult. I was depressed.

Some part of me knew I should talk to someone, but I convinced myself my internal battle wasn’t worthy of discussion or therapy. Between the athletes who lost their seasons, the students who were missing graduation, and everyone else on the planet who was struggling for various reasons, I didn’t think I deserved the right to complain or demand help for my problem. I told myself others had it worse than me, and I suffered in silence until I eventually opened up and decided to recognize the importance of my mental health.

I was never sure if my hockey career would continue past college, although that was always my goal, and the ease of my decision to step away from sport was proof that the way I was functioning, internalizing everything and putting my head second behind my body, was unsustainable and damaging. I see that now. I still have to check myself often and remind myself to take a breath, but maintaining a consistent dialogue with my support network has made me stronger than ever.

Terra wearing her hockey gear as she walks off the ice with the area behind her

I returned to hockey, accomplished my goal of becoming a professional hockey player, and intend to continue playing as long as I can, or until it stops making me happy.
Terra Lanteigne

Photo credit: Jess Rapfogel

Taking time away had the added benefit of rekindling my excitement and love for the game, and just like coming back from a physical injury I had a refreshed drive to compete. I returned to hockey, accomplished my goal of becoming a professional hockey player, and intend to continue playing as long as I can, or until it stops making me happy. I don’t have a golden answer or some secret to a flawlessly smooth transition out of competitive sport. What I do know, and what I hope anyone who reads this can walk away with, is that we are all part of a network of athletes, both retired and active who have been there. It is tough, but you’re not alone. As athletes, there is a whole community of people who we can talk to and lean on for support when our careers as players end for good.

Mental Health Athlete Spotlight

Posted: May 24, 2022 Updated: May 24, 2022 by kReeves

Injuries, Recovery & Mental Health

By Mattis Koch

Mattis Koch is a current student at Missouri State University, and former collegiate soccer player. Mattis is originally from Germany, and has played internationally with FC Union Berlin Youth Club.

And there I was laying on the pitch with that weird numbness in my right leg. I knew exactly what happened because I had this feeling before: I tore my ACL. Again. The second time this year. I didn’t know what to think or what to feel anymore. 9 months I had been working 4 to 5 hours a day with athletic trainers, doctors, and coaches with the goal in mind to play soccer again. I missed this feeling of leaving my heart out on the pitch, competing, winning, losing, trash-talking, and just everything soccer is about. 9 long months of pain, sweat, and tears just to have those feelings back and in the second session with my new team, I tore my ACL again.

I came from an elite youth academy in Germany to a top 10 D1 soccer program to get injured on the second day of practice. 6,000 miles away from my family and friends, laying on the turf feeling like this moment would never end. My knee didn’t even hurt, I was too devastated to feel anything. Why does this happen to me? Why again? What do I do now? Can I ever play again? The following months after my second ACL reconstruction surgery I did not have the fire in me that I had during my first rehab. I was anxious to play again. What if I tear it a third or a fourth time? I was supposed to go pro, earn the big bucks, win titles, be famous and not looking down on my crutches while desperately trying to walk again.

I wish this was the amazing story of how I still found the motivation to return to play soccer, win the NCAA championship, and get drafted to the MLS, but it’s not. This is the story on how to overcome and deal with mental health issues during a career-ending injury and how to deal with the fact that a lifelong dream can be taken from you in a short period of time. I felt this certain emptiness inside me and didn’t know how to fill it. I felt like a failure, and I felt alone. All my friends are out there signing contracts and winning titles while I’m just trying to deal with the fact that I will never do any of those things again.

This is the story on how to overcome and deal with mental health issues during a career-ending injury and how to deal with the fact that a lifelong dream can be taken from you in a short period of time.
Mattis Koch

The stigma associated with mental health for athletes makes it almost impossible to openly talk about feelings to teammates and coaches. It is considered a sign of weakness; and I was too proud to tell others how bad I was struggling. Psychology has a big impact on recovery from severe injuries and dealing with mental health issues often results in worse rehabilitation outcomes. Although it is not well researched, tools like positive self-talk, goal setting and healing imagery can aid the athlete in recovering from injury. Injuries are part of every sport, but the mental aspect is often overseen by many. As an athlete you are just supposed to “deal with it”. If you feel like the injury hurts your brain more than the affected body part, don’t be afraid to seek help. It will benefit you during the time in rehab, and later in life, whether you continue your athletic career or not.

If you feel like the injury hurts your brain more than the affected body part, don’t be afraid to seek help.
Mattis Koch

It’s okay to struggle and feel lonely, especially during injuries. Don’t be afraid to reach out to psychologists, teammates, coaches, or family about your mental health. It is not a sign of weakness; it shows how strong you are and is the first part of the healing process. You can only be helped if people are aware of what you are going through.

The Whole Being Athlete Series is a platform for athletes to share their stories about their own mental health journey. If someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) hotline 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) M-F 10am-8pm Eastern or info@nami.org. Athlete-specific mental health resources can be found here.