Morgan’s Message is helping change the way students talk about mental health, especially in sports. The program focuses on breaking stigma and creating a supportive environment for helping athletes and the school community. Senior Sydney West, one of the club’s ambassadors, has been a voice in spreading the message and getting others involved. “It means a lot [to contribute to] a program to break the stigma around [mental] health for athletes and…building communities in the school,” said West.
The club encourages students to speak up and support one another even during the students’ hardest times. “It’s okay to reach out and it’s okay to not be okay,” said West. This message serves as a reminder that no one has to go through hard times alone and that the school community is there to listen and support.
One of the biggest challenges is getting people to feel comfortable talking about mental health. “A lot of people are…scared to talk about [mental health], but that’s our point of trying to break that [stigma] and make it more comfortable,” said West.
To help spread the message, the group organizes regular themed meetings during school, as well as fun activities like spikeball and pickleball tournaments. These events bring students together in a positive way and create more space for open conversations.
As the year goes on, the Morgan's Message club is already planning for what’s next. While Morgan’s Message continues to spread throughout the community, the club ensures no student feels alone in what they’re going through.