The Atlantic 10 SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) is hosting more than a week's worth of events for its annual Mental Health Initiative. This year's intitiative, titled "Moving More for Mental Health," features events on each campus. Be sure to stop by the events below to grab your A-10 Mental Health sticker, and to learn more from members of each campus SAAC. Other campus events include “walk out of the darkness” walks; kick ball games; yoga classes and guided meditation.
From UMass SAAC representative, Hannah Peric
"In the athletic department at UMass the focus of this month has been on "moving more for mental health" and finding ways to allow ourselves as athletes to embrace movement as a way to look after mental health. Since we already have heavy training loads, it can be challenging to view movement as a way to help mental health when training and competing is often associated with high stress and anxiety for many athletes. An important aspect of reframing movement as an opportunity to look after mental health has been encouraging athletes to be in the present moment and connect with teammates and other athletes to lean on their community and support systems and find joy in the small, everyday success of competing and training as part of a team."
From Duquesne SAAC representative, Madison Dickert
"As we started to see more and more student-athletes come forward about their struggle, we knew that we could no longer stand silently in support, and it had to be a louder voice to be heard. Student-athletes of all kinds are under immense pressures everyday, and we want to make sure they know they are loved, important, and not alone in their battle."
Scheduled #A10SAAC Events
April 4 - St. Bonaventure Softball vs. Niagara
April 5 - Saint Louis Track & Field Billiken Invitational
April 12 - Richmond Baseball vs. George Washington
April 13 - Duquesne Women's Lacrosse vs. La Salle
April 16 - VCU Baseball vs. Liberty
April 16 - Dayton Softball vs. Northern Kentucky
April 17 - Massachusetts Women's Lacrosse vs. UCONN
April 17 - Dayton Baseball vs. Ohio
April 17 - George Washington Softball vs. Georgetown
April 17 - Rhode Island Softball vs. Holy Cross
April 18 - Loyola Chicago Men's Volleyball - MIVA Semifinals
April 19 - George Mason Baseball vs. Massachusetts
April 19 - Fordham Baseball vs. Saint Louis
April 20 - Davidson Women's Lacrosse vs. St. Bonaventure
April 20 - Saint Joseph's Baseball vs. St. Bonaventure