DePaul University Athletics
Three Blue Demons Attend BIG EAST Mental Health Summit
6/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - Blue Demon volleyball team captain Brittany Maxwell, men's soccer captain Caleb Pothast and men's basketball player Peter Ryckbosch represented DePaul at the inaugural BIG EAST Mental Health Summit last week at Georgetown.
The Summit featured a diverse group of attendees including industry leaders, campus counselors, doctors, athletic trainers, faculty and athletic administrators, NCAA representatives and the BIG EAST Student-Athlete Athletic Committee (SAAC) that includes Maxwell and Pothast.
The need for de-stigmatization of mental health issues was cited as a priority by many of the Summit speakers and participants.
"One of our goals is to ease the stigma associated with mental health on our campuses and reassure our student-athletes that sometimes it's okay to not feel okay," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. "Most of all, we want them to know that we care about them and that there are qualified professionals on their campuses whom they can turn to if they need counseling or support of any kind."
Maxwell said she will bring that message back to Lincoln Park and endorsed the idea of baseline tests for student-athletes at the beginning of the school season.
"It's so important to get rid of the stigma surrounding mental health," she said. "As athletes, we are conditioned to push through the pain, and it's hard for us to admit something is really wrong. Getting rid of the stigma will allow us to open up and talk about what is really going on."
Tennessee All-American and two-time Naismith Player of the Year Chamique Holdsclaw spoke of her own struggles with depression and bipolar disorder during college and while playing in the WNBA. This outspoken mental health advocate was the subject of a 2015 documentary, "Mind/Game: The Unquiet Journey of Chamique Holdsclaw."
ESPN commentator and journalist Kate Fagan spoke to the group about her book "What Made Maddy Run," the story of Pennsylvania track athlete Madison Holleran who committed suicide in 2014 after struggling with mental health issues. Fagan presented various factors which may lead to student-athlete anxiety and depression, including the trauma of quitting, fears of letting teammates down, reluctance to seek counseling, and pressures associated with social media engagement.
"I was part of a panel that spoke about experiences we've had with mental health issues," Ryckbosch said. "Going through three major surgeries during my basketball career was really tough, and I talked about the aspect of working through those challenges.
"What worked best for me was relying on the people I trusted from the strong relationships I had formed. Mental health is an issue that is often overlooked and not discussed. Talking it out with the people I trusted helped me through it."
Pothast brought back a message for his teammates and other Blue Demon student-athletes.
"I want to make it clear to my team that if they see someone struggling, they should try and help," Pothast said. "All it may take is one person to save a life, and stepping up allows others to feel comfortable helping as well.
"People may notice someone struggling and not act on it because they don't know how to go about it. I hope to educate student-athletes and especially my team about the signs of someone struggling and the resources available."
The Summit also heard from a speaker from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The SAAC has taken the lead in a NAMI fundraising campaign to raise awareness of mental health. To donate to the campaign, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/BIGEASTMHS.
In addition to the conference and meetings, SAAC members went on a fun trolley tour of Washington, D.C. monuments.
"It was an awesome experience and allowed me to really connect and build strong relationships with the other members," Pothast said. "It allowed for a strong bond, and the better relationship we all have will lead to more success in helping all BIG EAST student-athletes."
