The Atlantic 10 Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has kicked off its first-ever Mental Health Campaign. Designed to raising awareness and support of individuals suffering from mental health difficulties, the effort includes a week-long social media drive as well as on-campus programming and events.
The SAAC on each A-10 campus have agreed participate in a day of action, which will be captured on video and released at a later date to highlight the league’s efforts towards mental health. This day of action is determined by each individual campus and can include events such as:
- Bringing in a guest speaker
- Spending 10 minutes at practice meditating
- Setting up support groups to talk
- Talking about mental health issues as individual teams with coaches
Student-athletes from around the Atlantic 10 are participating in this week’s social media campaign using their own personal social accounts and the campus SAAC accounts to promote messaging around daily themes related to mental health and well being. Remaining daily themes include:
- Tuesday, Nov. 27 “Commonalities"
Recognize student-athletes commonly shared issues
- Wednesday, Nov. 28 “Break the Stigma”
Bring down the stigma surrounding mental health issues
- Thursday, Nov. 29 “Let’s Talk”
Offer to reach out to talk with or to others
- Friday, Nov. 30 “Take the pledge…"
Make the commitment to the pledge
Below are select social media posts from A-10 student-athletes and SAAC on Tuesday's "Commonalities" theme"
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What happened wasn’t easy to talk about, so instead I internalized my feelings. It was hard for people to be empathetic towards me, understandably so. How do you approach someone and ask how they feel about playing a role in somebody’s life changing injury, while walking away physically unscathed? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I didn’t want @isabellapicard thinking for a second I was walking through life pretending nothing happened.. I was aware I was doing something she could not. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I wanted to be there for her, but most times I didn't know what to say.. And quite frankly, I was probably the last person on Earth she wanted to talk to. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ••• ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I became super thankful for @isabellapicard’s Instagram growth. A community (of now 56k) giving her the love and motivation I felt intrusive giving; I was beyond happy God blessed her with that support, only imagining how much it helped. It allowed me the chance to follow and know she was okay, but this also came with waves of sadness. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sitting on the sideline as everything unfolded, I was somewhat envious of how easily strangers communicated with her, while I was afraid to send another “how are you?” I so deeply wanted to be more than a random message every few months. To show that I cared more than she knew. To be there if needed. To be a friend. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So what did I do? I prayed. I gave Bella space. I continued to follow her journey. I sent her cards. And I decided to channel my emotions into playing for her. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I would play for a greater purpose every time I stepped on a softball field. On game days, I’d tie the same blue and white striped ribbon I wore on April 18, 2015 in my hair as a constant reminder to not take a single step for granted. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Welp, turns out that’s a hell of a lot of pressure to put on yourself... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #playwithapurpose #playforthosewhocant #bringbacktherightside #lifteachotherup #teammatesmatter #onthefieldandinlife #a10strong ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #BRINGBACKTHERIGHTSIDE DIARY, Chapter 1: The Collision That Changed Our Lives
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