5th Annual Student Athlete Mental Health Week Kicks Off Next Week
Cville Right Now
Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Next week marks the 5th annual Student Athlete Mental Health Week, an initiative founded by Hilinski’s Hope, established in memory of Tyler Hilinski, a former quarterback for the Washington State Cougars who tragically lost his life to suicide in 2018.
During a recent interview, Kym Hilinski shared the organization’s mission: “We started Hilinski’s Hope in 2018, soon after Tyler passed, and the mission really was to end the stigma that’s so attached to mental health for student athletes.” The week-long initiative, running from October 5th to 12th, includes various activities at participating schools, including the University of Virginia, where events will feature professional speakers, mental health support dogs, yoga, and communal meals.
Mark Hilinski emphasized the importance of raising awareness: “Why aren’t we celebrating?… Athlete mental health needs attention and needs some help… I It’s simply a student athlete, and we know also all students can struggle mental health issues.”
This year, the initiative has expanded to include participants from all 50 states, showcasing a growing recognition of the need for mental health support among student athletes.
The Hilinskis are proud of the increasing awareness and participation, saying they started small and are now well over 250 schools involved. As universities join in, they aim to create a culture where students feel comfortable seeking help. Kym added, “I have to applaud our student athletes and our students in general. They are just really speaking up and saying, you know what, I’m not OK and that’s all right.”
As the week approaches, all eyes will be on the efforts to support mental health in sports, encouraging student athletes to prioritize their well-being.
