GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Athletic's Counseling and Sports Psychology Department partnered with Hilinski's Hope for Student-Athlete Mental Health Week.
 
Student-Athlete Mental Health Week ran from October 5-12, 2024, and the goal of the week is to raise mental health awareness, destigmatize mental illness, and provide quality resources to student-athletes nationwide.
 
This year, 212 colleges and universities joined Hilinski's Hope's mission by utilizing playing a mental health PSA during games, prioritizing mental health campus engagement strategies, and having something on each day for student-athletes.
 
Hilinski's Hope Foundation (H3H) is a non-profit organization formed to promote awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student-athletes. The Foundation's mission is to educate, advocate, and eliminate, the stigma associated with mental illness, while funding programs that provide student-athletes with the tools and resources that support their mental health and wellness.

Mason Rudel – senior – men's country country track & field
"Mental health matters to me because I'm aware of the struggle that a person can go through when dealing with various mental health issues. Having gone through several injuries, setbacks and personal problems, I'm aware that almost anything can take a toll on one's mental health. So I think it's especially important that people are aware that they can be emotional, and be proactive when considering their own mental health."

Jayde Gamble – senior – women's basketball
"Mental health is important to me because feeling balanced is a necessity especially when you are a student-athlete. Personally, I lean on God and journal my thoughts to help keep my mental health afloat."
 
John Gabelic – junior – men's tennis
"Life can be stressful sometimes and mental health matters more than you think."

Grace Holcomb – senior – women's golf
"Mental health matters a lot to me. I've had a lot of my own struggles throughout my time as a student-athlete. It's not an easy life and we have to put ourselves first before our sports. Our peers need to be aware of how important mental health is to help those who are struggling."
 
B.J. Boyce – junior – men's golf
"It is stressful being a student-athlete. Being in a good head space will make it a little easier and more enjoyable."

Sydney Harrington – sophomore – volleyball
"We experience so much pressure in our day-to-day lives. We expect ourselves to physically perform every day, so we take the necessary precaution to make sure our body is taken care of and capable. I think it's important that we do the same for our minds to."
 
Luke Jenkins – redshirt junior – baseball
"Mental health is very important when it comes to our everyday lives, sports and school. Keep being strong and it's okay to not be perfect."
 
Jalen Breath – redshirt junior – men's basketball
"It's okay to not be okay. I am human at the end of the day and I am going to hurt sometimes. Sometimes I just need someone to talk to."
 
Grace Loftin – senior – softball
"As a student-athlete, we often struggle in silence. Mental health matters to me because I feel it is necessary that we end the stigma of 'toughing it out' and ask for help."
 
Tim Baerwalde – junior – men's soccer
"Mental health is being underestimated. Especially as a student-athlete, you will struggle, so it is even more important to take care of your mental health. It does matter and it is not being taken care of enough."
 
Kaitlyn Harrison – junior – women's cross country track & field
"When I have good mental health, it makes me a better person and teammate to be around. I feel like I can add to others and not take away."

Azumi Oka – freshman – women's soccer
"Mental health matters to me because it impacts me just as much as my physical health affects my performance. We need to be the best that we can be to be able to perform at our highest level."
 
Ella Olexa – junior – women's tennis
"We have a lot on our plate, including the pressure of successful performance."
 
More about Hilinski's Hope Foundation
The Hilinski's Hope Foundation (H3H) was founded in 2018 by Mark and Kym Hilinski to honor the life of their son Tyler. H3H helps colleges and universities save lives, eliminate stigma, and scale mental wellness programs for student-athletes. H3H does this by sharing Tyler's story, connecting students with mental health resources, and assisting universities to institutionalize best practices. H3H envisions a world where mental health is supported in parity with physical health and equally prioritized by universities as connected to athletic performance. Click here to learn more about H3H.