Morgan was a women’s lacrosse star who was recruited to play for Duke in 2014 who had a bright future as a Blue Devil. Her story was cut short in 2019 from the battles of mental health. Morgan’s Message breaks the stigma around mental health in athletes.
For years, mental health issues have been ignored throughout high schools, or not taken seriously.
Morgan’s Message is trying to change that and help student athletes all over the country.
At the Knoch Girls Lacrosse game against Butler, the girls learned about Morgan’s Message and all it stands for. The girls received blue ribbons, butterfly stickers, and awareness bracelets handed out by the Butler seniors.
More than 30% of student- athletes have battled with mental health struggles, such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. One in every five athletes faces eating disorder struggles. One thing that is not talked about enough either is the risk of substance abuse through sport seasons.
Whether these students do school or club sports, they are all still students. High pressures of academic achievement are pushed on to these teens. Staying on top of grades, classwork along with attending every game and practice piles on to students’ mental health.
Many highschool athletes are set on attending college for their sport, but only sometimes that dream comes true. To attend a college/university for your sport without a full ride scholarship, many students are expected to have a GPA of at least 3.5 to attend. Lots of students could have a 4.0 at the beginning of the year, but as soon as the sports season starts some drop down significantly.
Classwork, homework, games, and everyday practices pile on week after week, bringing down an unbelievable amount of pressure.
Senior Maggie Barnes, who is also a captain of the girls lacrosse team, is in full support of spreading the word!
“I keep my Morgan’s Message bracelet on my stick for every game to show my support!” said Barnes.
Head Knoch Girls Lacrosse Coach Mclain first heard about this organization at the Butler lacrosse game.
“As a coach, I try to create a positive environment where we can learn how to make mistakes and how to work as a team,” said Mclain.
Mclain is also the guidance counselor for grades 10-12.
“Mental health, in general, needs more advocacy. Athletic competition can be emotional and bring out different parts of a student in addition to planning academics during the season,” said Mclain.
A part of Morgan’s Message is having student athletes ambassadors all around the country.
“I think bringing the message to Knoch would be a great addition to our school for student athletes and I would love to be a part of it!” Barnes added.
Student athletes around the country need more support in their lives and especially in their mental health.
Morgan’s Message is here for that.
To learn more about Morgan and all that the organization stands for please visit https://www.morgansmessage.org.
If you or anyone you know are struggling with mental health or just need someone to talk to, please reach out to someone trusted. Whether that would be your school guidance counselor, a friend, or the crisis hotline (988).
Remember you are a human before you are anything else.
