More than 51 percent of elite athletes face mental health issues throughout their lives, according to the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Moreover, 44 percent of NCAA student-athletes reported experiencing anxiety and overwhelming feelings daily. Athletes are constantly overwhelmed by pressures from school, social life and sports.
“Reach out. Check in. Make contact” is the slogan of a new mental health initiative called Shoulder Check, which aims to inspire athletes to check in on one another, even those who seem to be okay.
Brookline athletics was first introduced to the organization when founder Rob Thorsen spoke at the Bay State Conference Sophomore Summit this past spring, according to Athletic Director Kyle Williams.
“We loved his presentation and the idea of doing a mental health wellness initiative and tying it in athletics, so we approached him about being able to present it to our fall athletes,” Williams said.
As a result, Brookline has been hosting Shoulder Check games throughout the fall season, according to the assistant Athletic Director Amanda Mortelette. Teams warm up in navy T-shirts with the Shoulder Check logo and give speeches at the start of games.
“We’re hoping to have both teams come together before the game, read a short statement and then leave the other team with wristbands they can take home, to spread it from our community to others,” Williams said.
Senior and captain of girls varsity soccer Mirabelle Keselman said sports captains and student Shoulder Check ambassadors are both involved in the program’s success. Ambassadors work to bridge the gap between students and teachers.
“It’s really an interesting concept to me, so I’m going to work with [Mortelette] to make sure that it’s something we continue at the high school for a long time,” Keselman said.
According to Williams, the athletic department plans to continue developing Shoulder Check, hopefully making it a Brookline tradition for every season and increasing student participation.
“Part of their message is that it starts with peer-to-peer connections,” Williams said. “As adults, we can talk about making those connections until we’re blue in the face, but we really want to empower kids to take control of this.”
Brookline plans to spread the message as much as possible, working with Thorsen for Back to Sports night, Mortelette said.
“For the first year, we just wanted to get the message out and to be inclusive for all teams,” Mortelette said. “That’s why Shoulder Check is great, because it could be something that every team can do.”
Williams said Shoulder Check is one part of a larger athletics department initiative to go beyond sports.
“We’re trying to have more awareness about mental and physical health,” Williams said, “To have more initiatives that strengthen the tie between academics, athletics and student experience.”
