Weekly Wrap-Up
July 30, 2021
MHAC is Proud of and Supports Simone Biles
#standwithsimone #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth4all
Announcements
Simone Biles’ Olympic Team Final Withdrawal Could Help Athletes Put Their Mental Health First

Biles’ decision comes as athletes, particularly since Michael Phelps revealed his struggle with depression, have come forward about their experiences with anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns. Just a little over a month ago, Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open after citing the hurtful effect of press conferences on her mental health, and her struggles with depression.

Young Black Athletes are Launching a
Mental Health Revolution

Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Raven Saunders and others have publicly taken their mental health into their hands in a way never seen before in elite sports.

Mental health issues aren’t uncommon among Black athletes. But the willingness to speak so openly about the struggles and publicly advocate for better care is fairly new in the professional sports world, experts say.

Let’s Talk About the Quiet Crisis in College Sports:
Mental Health

Student-athletes have long stayed silent about depression. USC sport psychologists are telling them it’s OK to ask for help — and they’re not alone.

A superhero mentality, the belief that athletes can’t show weakness, plagues more than professional sports. USC sport psychology expert Robin Scholefield ’84 says its roots run much deeper, through college and high school teams and even to youth leagues. Coaches, parents and athletes themselves increasingly emphasize performance rather than the personal growth and character development that builds a foundation for well-being, fewer mental health challenges and more consistent success.

Free Therapy

AAAD offers many great resources for anyone battling a Mental Health Issue. Perhaps the most important resource that we offer is Free Therapy. If you or a loved one is suffering and want to take an important step to changing your life, please reach out to us regarding our Free Therapy Resource.

We understand how difficult it can be to seek help when battling Anxiety or Depression. That is why we have Therapists on staff to help make the process of getting help easier. We have many different options available to make it as comfortable as possible whether it be Therapy over the phone, video counseling or in person.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for this resource below and #BeTheChange you wish to see in your life!



SAMHSA’s National Helpline:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.

Congratulations to Cayen TAY Action Team Member
Dawson Kelly – Santa Barbara Team

Dawson Kelly, a sophomore at San Marcos High School, has been selected as the student board member for the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education following elections at each high school for representatives and an interview process for all finalists with board members.

Office of Minority Health Resource Center
 
As a nationwide service of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, the Office of Minority Health Resource Center retains a collection of public health and consumer health information related to ethnic and minority populations in the United States.
 
Learn about the Knowledge Center collection.
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