World mental health day: Georgia Southern University working to protect students peace.
WJCL
STATESBORO, Ga. — Monday is recognized as mental health day worldwide, but protecting your peace is a year-round fight for faculty and staff at Georgia Southern University.
The public institution works around the clock to help their student-athletes make sure they are healthy, always including their mental health.
Brandonn Harris, sports psychology professor, says he wants to make sure all athletes are taken care of in all aspects.
"While we recognize student-athletes for incredible things, on and off the field. Student-athletes are human beings before they are anyone or anything else," Harris stated, "Sometimes we don't know what a student may be going through outside of competition and practice."
Harris began a partnership with Hilinski's Hope Foundation, a South Carolina non-profit made for student-athletes dealing with mental health issues in honor of Tyler Hilinski, who died by suicide at the age of 21 from suffering from mental health issues
The Hilinski hope foundation works alongside several college sports programs to offer their players chances to seek mental help assistance and resources.
Rachel Harris at Savannah counseling and wellness says mental health is even more important for student-athletes.
"Not only are you a student and going through that major life transition, but frequently student-athletes do not just have the task of being on the team or being in the sport, but they are also the implications of not doing well," Harris said.
Georgia Southern University football players will be wearing a green ribbon on their helmets, and the coaches will wear one on their hats to honor mental health awareness at Saturday's game against South Alabama.
If you or someone you know may be suffering from mental health, you can reach out to the national crisis hotline at 9-8-8.
