University of Minnesota Athletics
SAAC Hosts Mental Health Week for Student-Athletes
11/8/2019 1:57:00 PM | Student-Athlete Development, Leadership U
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee organized a week full of events to reduce stress and bring the student-athlete community together
During the week of October 27th - 31st, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a series of events and activities to promote mental health awareness during their semi-annual Mental Health Week.
On Sunday, October 27th, student-athletes gathered in the Nutrition Center at Athletes Village for a Pumpkin Carving Competition. Monday and Wednesday featured Guided Meditation and Yoga for student-athletes and throughout the day on Tuesday SAAC provided a buffet style Trail Mix Bar in the atrium of the Athletes Village. On Thursday, staff from PAWS, Pet Away Worries and Stress, visited campus bringing dogs and bunnies for student-athletes to play with while taking a break from studying.
Throughout the week there was a quiet space dedicated to word puzzles and coloring as well as a post-it note wall in the Nutrition Center where student-athletes and Athletics Department staff were encouraged to write positive affirmations.
Current student-athletes Monique Felix (Women's Track & Field/Cross Country), Kat Hetico (Rowing), and Jeremy Moser (Men's Swim and Dive) were featured on the Big Ten Network to discuss the benefits of utilizing sport psychology and why focusing on mental health is important.
The sport psychologists at the athletics department see 1 in 3 student-athletes. The resources available help student-athletes focus on their emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. SAAC hosts Mental Health Week as a way to de-stigmatize mental health in student-athletes and to bring awareness to a topic that cannot be ignored within college athletics.
On Sunday, October 27th, student-athletes gathered in the Nutrition Center at Athletes Village for a Pumpkin Carving Competition. Monday and Wednesday featured Guided Meditation and Yoga for student-athletes and throughout the day on Tuesday SAAC provided a buffet style Trail Mix Bar in the atrium of the Athletes Village. On Thursday, staff from PAWS, Pet Away Worries and Stress, visited campus bringing dogs and bunnies for student-athletes to play with while taking a break from studying.
Throughout the week there was a quiet space dedicated to word puzzles and coloring as well as a post-it note wall in the Nutrition Center where student-athletes and Athletics Department staff were encouraged to write positive affirmations.
Current student-athletes Monique Felix (Women's Track & Field/Cross Country), Kat Hetico (Rowing), and Jeremy Moser (Men's Swim and Dive) were featured on the Big Ten Network to discuss the benefits of utilizing sport psychology and why focusing on mental health is important.
The sport psychologists at the athletics department see 1 in 3 student-athletes. The resources available help student-athletes focus on their emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. SAAC hosts Mental Health Week as a way to de-stigmatize mental health in student-athletes and to bring awareness to a topic that cannot be ignored within college athletics.
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