From Atherton, California, Victoria Garrick is a rising Junior libero for the USC Women’s Indoor Volleyball team. Both freshman and sophomore year, Victoria started and played in every match for the Women of Troy, who won the Pac-12 Championship in 2015. During a difficult freshman year, learning how to be a Division I athlete as well a Dean’s List student, she dealt with situational depression, anxiety, and a binge-eating disorder. By seeing a sports psychologist at USC every week, Victoria was able to learn how to manage her mental health issues, as well as regain normal eating habits. However, she is very concerned about other athletes like her who do not have the confidence to seek help, or learn how to manage their chaotic lives. One of Victoria’s missions in her final two years of college is to help others by sharing her experience. 

This video tells the story of four elite athletes who have faced mental health challenges.

An emotional talk from personal story to professional experience with mental health of athletes. Examining the culture of sport and championship building and providing 3 steps to assist in improving athletes’ mental wellness. Dr. Hillary Cauthen, a clinical sport psychologist and certified mental performance consultant specializes in mental health treatment for athletes, coaches, and parents. Dr. Cauthen has significant experience in the sport environment, as a competitive youth and Division 1 collegiate athlete, her experience has guided her professional development and is the crux of creating a Culture of Care for a Culture of Champions. 

As a long time student-athlete, Mya Schander wants to give a taste of the darkness in the mental health of athletes. Her urgency in this situation is spread across her presentation, hoping the audience will be knowledgeable about this problem.  Mya Schnader is a junior from Carmel High School, CA. Mya is a former long-time student-athlete. Mya wants to spread the importance of the mental health of athletes. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. 

Cleveland Cavaliers center Kevin Love opens up about the mental health issues that are in the NBA and his own experience with depression and anxiety.

Kendall is speaking about forming better, healthy mindsets for young athletes. Many athletes become so anxiety ridden from their sport they may even contemplate suicide. Kendall argues we should implement sport’s psychologists, as well as robust well-rounded education systems for these young athletes. Kendall is speaking about forming better, healthy mindsets for young athletes. Many athletes become so anxiety ridden from their sport they may even contemplate suicide. Kendall argues we should implement sport’s psychologists, as well as robust well-rounded education systems for these young athletes. 

The conversation around mental health within athletics has grown greatly in the past couple years. Athletes, from all disciplines, are feeling more enabled to discuss mental health struggles and prioritizer their mental health. Brenna Murray, a student athlete at UNC Charlotte, knows first-hand the value of these conversations. Brenna has been working to build a culture at UNC Charlotte that empowers athletes to speak up on their mental health and forge a community that incorporates supportive practices into the student athlete experience. 

George Mason University student athletes share mental health challenges.

Inside the Recovery: Athletes’ Mental Health and Injuries“ is a video series that features interviews with student-athletes who have suffered from sports injury. They share their story managing and overcoming the mental and physical aspects of their recovery. Jaelin Llewellyn, a graduate student on the Men’s Basketball Team shares his recovery journey after tearing his ACL in his opening season at Michigan. Jaelin shows strength in vulnerability, as he talks about the shocking moment of his injury and how he was able to embrace the mental challenges of recovery. In an incredible display of resilience, and with the help of counseling, peer support, and self-care practices, Jaelin made an incredible return to the court.

Anthony Pompilii shares his personal experience with depression as a student athlete. He wants college student athletes who are experiencing mental health struggles to know that they are not alone.

Cailin is the face and voice of the mental health crisis facing student-athletes today. She will outline the challenges and needed solutions during her talk, while calling on those in power in this area to make needed changes.  Cailin Bracken is a mental health advocate, writer, public speaker, and podcast host. She is a member of Vanderbilt University's class of 2024 where she played on the school's Division 1 women's lacrosse team.