TOWSON, Md. – A powerful evening of compelling conversation on mental health left a lasting impression on Towson University student-athletes and staff Monday night as the University hosted the 'Same Here, Sit Down Mental Health Tour' at SECU Arena.
The program was moderated by ESPN reporter Darren Rovell and it included professional athletes Hayden Hurst, a tight end with the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Dream forward Imani McGee-Stafford.
Towson was one of 15 colleges and universities selected nationwide to serve as a host for the event.
In addition to their presentations, Hurst and McGee-Stafford joined with We're All A Little "Crazy" Founder and CEO Eric Kussin and Towson junior gymnast and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president Olivia Lubarsky for an important panel discussion.
"This was very eye-opening," Lubarsky said. "The energy in SECU at the end of the night was incredible. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have spoken alongside such inspiring people. Statistics demonstrate that one-in-five struggle with mental illness while five-in-five people have mental health challenges. Shining light and increasing education on this sensitive topic is so important. This event was an amazing continuation of 'Own Your Roar's' ambition and efforts."
We're All A Little "Crazy" is a Global Mental Health Movement founded by Kussin, alongside an alliance of athletes, celebrities, influencers and expert practitioners. The organization partners with people and groups of influence in the sports and entertainment world to elevate the dialogue surrounding mental health and daily practices that promote wellness and face- to face programming on college campuses.
"It was very inspiring to hear all those amazing stories from those athletes," Towson senior softball player Nicole Stockinger said. "People think that athletes, especially professional athletes have no issues or struggles in life but many do not know or truly understand what they (professional athletes) go through mentally."
The conversation focused on "normalizing" mental health conversations and encouraging those to speak up and out about their own battles and unite through the American Sign Language symbol for #SameHere.
"Hopefully this will help more people come out about problems that they face," Towson senior men's basketball player Jordan McNeil said. "Hayden's story stuck with me the most. He went through so much and to see where he is now is powerful and moving. It was good to hear all those influential people speak about issues that they constantly battle with."
Each presenter described their battles with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and having suicidal thoughts. They shared their stories with the student athletes to show the importance of using their voice to create safe spaces, be advocates and examples among their own friends, teammates and on campus.
