TOWSON, Md. – Olivia Lubarsky's personal struggles with depression and anxiety has inspired the Towson University sophomore gymnast to take action. 
 
"Initially, I would scold myself for feeling the way I did, believing that I was doing it to myself or making up excuses for why I was not succeeding at the unrealistic, perfectionistic expectations I set for myself," Lubarsky said. "It took months of researching the science behind mental health illnesses until I believed that depression is something that happens to you, not something that you just make up."
 
Mental health is serious. Being able to properly understand and have the courage to acknowledge it is the first step.
 
That's why Lubarsky has created the "Own Your Roar" campaign, an awareness program for mental health that encourages students and student-athletes to "Own Your Roar" and advocate for their own mental health.
 
Towson has demonstrated its commitment to student-athlete mental health by adding licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Shreya Hessler to its staff in September.
 
Lubarsky knows that starting the conversation about mental health and creating an environment in which student-athletes are comfortable to openly express themselves is of paramount importance.
 
"It's an expression of my passion to make a difference within my immediate environment," Lubarsky said. "I wanted to utilize my fortunate position as a Towson student-athlete to unite mental health and athletics, making a statement while using sports as the platform to increase awareness and start the conversation about the hidden epidemic that is mental health.
 
"I thought it would be powerful to implement a mental health campaign in order to validate, destigmatize, and raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, as well as additionally work towards building strength in our program."
 
Daniel Eisenberg, an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, conducted surveys with student-athletes who participated in educational presentations from all 31 athletic teams at the university. According to his findings, presented in a recent USA Today article, most collegiate athletes who struggle with mental health illnesses do not seek help.
 
He continues, sharing the statistic that 33 percent of all college students experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Among this group, 30 percent seek help, however amongst collegiate athletes with mental health conditions, only 10 percent seek help.
 
"Personally, I have seen a glaring disconnect between the support and treatment that is received for physical injuries versus mental health illnesses," Lubarsky said. "This campaign is meaningful to me because it is the first step towards defeating the stigma that surrounds mental health, especially in the realm of athletics, since there are a plethora of elevated stressors that accompany our day-to-day routines.
 
"I am truly grateful for the administrative support, as well as all of the enthusiasm I have received from numerous students and student-athletes. I am excited to watch as Towson leads the movement in defeating the stigma on our campus and across the NCAA."
 
According to a University of Washington study which analyzed athlete deaths in the NCAA, 477 out of 500,000 competitive student-athletes died from suicide between 2003-13. A 2016 study concluded that nearly 30 percent of surveyed female student-athletes displayed signs of depression, compared to just 18 percent of their male counterparts. 
 
"My experiences as an athlete in a sport that demands perfection and is never satisfied in difficulty, conditioned me to withhold displaying weakness out of fear of the responses that would come from my teammates and coaches," Lubarsky said. "Although I still face struggles, I have learned how to compartmentalize the wonderful craziness of my life and truly enjoy the moment. I've learned to own myself and I hope that, through this campaign, other students and student-athletes will recognize that they are not alone, they are capable, and they are worthy."