Trone, Carl Introduce Resolution Designating National Student Athlete Mental Health Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2022
Contact: Sasha Galbreath, Sasha.Galbreath@mail.house.gov
Trone, Carl Introduce Resolution Designating National Student Athlete Mental Health Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressmen David Trone (D-MD) and Jerry Carl (R-AL) introduced a resolution to designate October 2-8, 2022 as National Student Athlete Mental Health Week.
Nearly eight million students participate in high school athletics and more than 650,00 college students compete as athletes. Student athletes face unique stressors, and mental health-related stigma – which affects all students – can make them less likely to seek care or express concerns. In fact, a Fall 2021 NCAA survey of nearly 10,000 student athletes found that less than half of those surveyed would feel comfortable seeking support from a mental health provider on campus.
Endorsed by the NCAA, the resolution encourages universities to highlight and strengthen mental health resources, address stigma, and further research student athletes’ mental wellbeing.
“Teens and young adults are bearing the brunt of our nation’s worsening mental health crisis, and student athletes can be uniquely vulnerable to these effects,” said Congressman Trone, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution to promote action, fight stigma, and build awareness of the unique challenges student athletes face. They need to know: mental health is just as vital as physical health.”
“Student athletes across the country are experiencing above-average rates of mental health crises, and many of them do not seek professional help because of stigma and because many are unaware of the resources their campuses offer,” said Congressman Carl. “I’m proud to work in a bipartisan manner to introduce this resolution to address this crisis by bringing awareness to it and fighting the stigma around mental health issues.”
The resolution is co-sponsored in the House by Representatives Adams (D-NC), Axne (D-IA), Bass (D-CA), Bustos (D-IL), Carter (R-GA), Carter (D-LA), Castor (D-FL), Dean (D-PA), Evans (D-PA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Gottheimer (D-NJ), Holmes Norton (D-DC), Lee (D-NV), McGovern (D-MA), Napolitano (D-CA), Ruppersberger (D-MD), Ryan (D-OH), Salazar (R-FL), Sewell (D-AL), Steel (R-CA), Trahan (D-MA), and Wild (D-PA).
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Multiple organizations focused on mental health support the effort:
“It’s great to see the momentum building in reducing stigma and increasing resources for all student athletes across the nation,” said Mark Hilinski of Hilinski’s Hope. “We hope to see Members of Congress on campuses showing support for this critical cause, and normalizing the importance of mental health care.”
“National Student Athlete Mental Health Week will help dispel the stigma surrounding mental illness,” said Stephanie Rosen, Executive Director of NAMI, Montgomery County, MD. “Stigma is one of the greatest barriers to getting treatment for mental health conditions. Let’s support student-athletes and let them know they are not alone.”
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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