Brown Hosts Student-Athlete Mental Health Panel
5/16/2022 12:06:00 PM | General
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown's Student Athlete Advisory Committee hosted a panel discussion on body image and stress on Friday afternoon as part of its Mental Health Panel Series.
The event featured dual panels for men's and women's student-athletes where administrators from across the athletic department, all of whom are former student-athletes, served as panelists and spoke to current student-athletes about their experiences in dealing with mental health, stress and body image.
"I believe it is crucial to continue organizing and promoting events with student-athletes that are centered around furthering the conversation on mental health in athletics," said SAAC Secretary and softball student-athlete Kat Clum. "The mental aspect of college athletics is just as important as the physical one, yet it is not always prioritized the same. I believe the hardest part of addressing mental health issues is getting the conversation started and I hope this event was able to start this dialogue. Simply having these conversations is beneficial as it assures student-athletes that they are not alone in their struggles and that other individuals are also dealing with similar issues."
"For SAAC, mental health has really been our primary focus," said SAAC co-President Luke Gaydos (men's lacrosse). "We think it is of the utmost importance that student-athletes hold their mental health up to the same level that they would hold their physical health. Destigmatizing this talk about mental health can really elevate their balance between school work and athletics."
"Having conversations around mental health and creating an environment where student-athletes feel comfortable discussing their challenges is more important now than ever," said SAAC co-President Amanda Cooper (field hockey). "The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for conversations around mental health, in particular the pressures we face representing our University as students, athletes, and human beings. With only 6% (NCAA Recruiting statistics) of high school athletes becoming Collegiate athletes, few understand the intensity of our daily lives. These panels were important for SAAC to host because it is important for student-athletes to know that there is nothing wrong with reaching out for help."
"I think SAAC plans to be an advocate for mental health in student-athletes in providing the proper resources and leading them in the right direction, letting them now they aren't alone," said Student-Athlete Services & Wellness co-Chair Devin McLane (men's lacrosse). "We're glad to have such great resources here in the athletic department at Brown and from CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) to be able to help us."
"Hopefully, there will be more of these events in the future so student-athletes can build the support system they need in order to succeed both in athletics and in life," Klum said.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the lifeblood of the athletics program, and exists to enhance the student-athlete experience through philanthropic support from alumni, parents, fans and friends. A gift through the Sports Foundation makes an immediate impact on today's Brown Bears and helps them to be their best in the classroom, in competition and most importantly in the community. To learn more about supporting the Bears, please click here.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownAthletics on Twitter, @BrownAthletics on Instagram, like /BrownAthletics on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
The event featured dual panels for men's and women's student-athletes where administrators from across the athletic department, all of whom are former student-athletes, served as panelists and spoke to current student-athletes about their experiences in dealing with mental health, stress and body image.
"I believe it is crucial to continue organizing and promoting events with student-athletes that are centered around furthering the conversation on mental health in athletics," said SAAC Secretary and softball student-athlete Kat Clum. "The mental aspect of college athletics is just as important as the physical one, yet it is not always prioritized the same. I believe the hardest part of addressing mental health issues is getting the conversation started and I hope this event was able to start this dialogue. Simply having these conversations is beneficial as it assures student-athletes that they are not alone in their struggles and that other individuals are also dealing with similar issues."
"For SAAC, mental health has really been our primary focus," said SAAC co-President Luke Gaydos (men's lacrosse). "We think it is of the utmost importance that student-athletes hold their mental health up to the same level that they would hold their physical health. Destigmatizing this talk about mental health can really elevate their balance between school work and athletics."
"Having conversations around mental health and creating an environment where student-athletes feel comfortable discussing their challenges is more important now than ever," said SAAC co-President Amanda Cooper (field hockey). "The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for conversations around mental health, in particular the pressures we face representing our University as students, athletes, and human beings. With only 6% (NCAA Recruiting statistics) of high school athletes becoming Collegiate athletes, few understand the intensity of our daily lives. These panels were important for SAAC to host because it is important for student-athletes to know that there is nothing wrong with reaching out for help."
"I think SAAC plans to be an advocate for mental health in student-athletes in providing the proper resources and leading them in the right direction, letting them now they aren't alone," said Student-Athlete Services & Wellness co-Chair Devin McLane (men's lacrosse). "We're glad to have such great resources here in the athletic department at Brown and from CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) to be able to help us."
"Hopefully, there will be more of these events in the future so student-athletes can build the support system they need in order to succeed both in athletics and in life," Klum said.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the lifeblood of the athletics program, and exists to enhance the student-athlete experience through philanthropic support from alumni, parents, fans and friends. A gift through the Sports Foundation makes an immediate impact on today's Brown Bears and helps them to be their best in the classroom, in competition and most importantly in the community. To learn more about supporting the Bears, please click here.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownAthletics on Twitter, @BrownAthletics on Instagram, like /BrownAthletics on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
PJ Behan Mic'd Up
Wednesday, April 15
Marcus Wertheim 2026 PLL Draft Selection
Wednesday, April 15
Men's Lacrosse vs. Dartmouth Cinematic Recap
Monday, April 13
2025 Brown Football Banquet Video
Monday, April 13
