Hilinski’s Hope’s fifth annual week of collective action is a continuation of the organization’s service to the mental wellbeing of students across all levels and sports
Hilinski's Hope Foundation (H3H), a 5013c non-profit founded by Mark and Kym Hilinski to honor the legacy of their son Tyler, today announced that more than 250 schools and organizations will be participating in the fifth annual Student Athlete Mental Health Week (SAMHW), the organization’s annual week of collective action dedicated to addressing the mental wellbeing of student athletes and honor those who lost their lives.
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Starting October 5 to October 12, H3H will be joined by student athletes and athletic departments across the nation to participate in breaking down stigma, offering quality resources, and letting student athletes know they are supported.
“We are truly honored to be joined by over 250 schools and organizations to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Student Athlete Mental Health Week,” said Mark Hilinski. “Looking back to when we began this journey, we did not know how far H3H would reach and to see and feel the continued support from schools, fans, students and parents as they join us in the fight against mental illness, Tyler would be so proud.”
“We miss Tyler every day, but we are grateful to know that our work is making a difference,” said Kym Hilinski. “Thank you to each person who has joined us over the last five years, not only for spreading awareness but carrying on Tyler’s name and legacy. He will live on through your continued support each time a student athlete takes a field, rink, or track.”
In 2018, Mark and Kym Hilinski founded Hilinski’s Hope with the goal of promoting awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student athletes. Throughout the last five years, Hilinski’s Hope has hosted over 315 Tyler Talks across the nation, reaching over 78,000 student athletes.
“As someone who has dealt with mental health struggles throughout my football career, Hilinski’s Hope's mission is very near to my heart,” said Alan Bowman, starting quarterback for Oklahoma State University. “I’m fortunate to have an amazing support system and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. But there are still many people out there who need to know that it's okay to not be okay. Reach out and speak up now.”
As part of the fifth year anniversary, H3H is expanding to the marching bands that play a vital role within schools’ athletic departments. Band members hold many of the same pressures of the student athletes, balancing a busy schedule of practices and travel on top of school work. This expansion serves as a message that the mission of Hilinski’s Hope to prioritize mental health stretches beyond the white lines of a college football field and extends to students of all organizations at every level.
Participating schools have committed to at least one of the following during the week: encouraging students, parents, alumni, and fans to participate in showing solidarity, eliminating stigma around mental health by holding three fingers to the sky during the first play of the third quarter; playing a Hilinski's Hope PSA at the SAMHW games; wearing one of the many “3” ribbon products or temporary tattoos sent by H3H to their campus, participating in social media campaigns during the week, engaging in an internal assessment to evaluate how their campus is following best practices in terms of mental health programs, and include talks and trainings on campus for players, coaches, bands, and staff.
“As a coach, I see firsthand the immense pressure our student-athletes face both on and off the field. At Washington State, we take a holistic approach to developing student-athletes as we prioritize their mental health just as much as their physical health,” said Jake Dickert the Head Football Coach at Washington State University. “Hilinski’s Hope has been an amazing beacon of support and awareness for student-athletes across the country using their personal story of tragedy to help others who are in need. I look forward to our continued partnership because together we can create a culture where prioritizing mental health is a strength and no longer a weakness.”
H3H has created evidence-based mental health resources, including the Game Plan and Online Mental Health Course, which work to educate and reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, along with providing a new way of thinking and addressing mental health. As well as, the H3H’s Mental Health Support Series - a six lesson learning series for 9th-12th grade Alabama high school students focused on teaching mental health basics and putting mental health care on par with physical health.
"At Florida State University we teach our athletes that mental toughness is different from mental wellness. It takes much courage to ask for help,” said Dr. Keely Kaklamanos, Director of Athletic Clinical and Sports Psychology and Athlete Mental Health at Florida State University. “Our involvement in Hilinski's Hope assists us in normalizing help-seeking behaviors and reminds our student-athletes that they are note alone! "
Student Athlete Mental Health Week coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6-12, culminating on World Mental Health Day on October 10.
Hilinski's Hope would like to say a special thank you to our lead sponsors College Hill Threads, Expedia, FCA (Fellowship of Student Athletes), Georgetown Brewing, Lombardi Wines, Mayor of Maple Valley, Neurologic Performance Group (NPG), TCP Mulligan Coalition, VJB Cellars, and Wellington Cellars for helping make Student Athlete Mental Health Week possible.
This winter, Hilinski's Hope will partner with Athletes for Hope during Athlete Mental Health Week, February 1-8, 2025. The week will include participation from Olympians, Paralympians, Professional, Collegiate, High School and Club Team Athletes.
To learn more, donate, and/or get involved with Hilinski's Hope Foundation please visit https://www.hilinskishope.org/samhw.
To date schools from around the country participating include:
Abilene Christian University Allen University Arroyo High School Auburn University Abilene Christian University Albany State University Allen University Arizona State University Auburn University Auburn University at Montgomery Aurora University Austin Peay State University Azusa Pacific University Baldwin Wallace University Baylor University Bemidji State University Benedict College Benedictine University Berry College Boise State University Boston College Bowling Green State University Brigham Young University Cal Poly Pomona California Baptist University California State University Northridge California State University, Long Beach Carroll College Central College Central Michigan University Central Washington University Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges Clemson University Colorado Northwestern Community College Columbia University Concordia University Chicago Cornell University D'Youville University Davidson College Delta State University Denver University Drake University Drexel University Duquesne University Eastern Michigan University Eastern Washington University Edward Waters University Florida Atlantic University Florida International University Florida State University Fordham University Gardner-Webb University George Fox University George Mason University Georgetown University Georgia Southern University Goucher College Grand Canyon University Heidelberg University Henderson State University Hinds Community College Howard University Idaho State University Illinois State University Indiana University Iona University Jackson State University James Madison University Juniata College Kansas State University Kean University Keene State College King's College Lamar Community College Lamar University Lawrence Technological University Lee University Lees-McRae College Lehigh University Liberty University Louisiana State University Louisiana Tech University Marshall University McDaniel College Mercyhurst University Michigan Technological University Mid Michigan College Middlebury College Minnesota State University - Moorhead Mississippi College Mississippi State University Missouri State University Mt. San Antonio College Nazareth University New Mexico State University North Carolina State University North Dakota State University North Greenville University Northern Arizona University Northern Michigan University Northwestern State University Northwestern University Northwood University |
Oklahoma State University Old Dominion University Oral Roberts University Pacific Lutheran University Park University Gilbert Point University Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Prairie State College Providence College Rollins College Roosevelt University Sacramento State University Saint Vincent College San Diego State University Santa Barbara City College Seattle University South Carolina State University South Dakota State University Southern Methodist University Southern University and A&M College Southern Utah University St. Bonaventure University St. Thomas University Stanford University Stephen F. Austin State University Stetson University Stevenson University Stony Brook University Suncoast High School Tarleton State University Texas A&M University Texas Tech University The Catholic University of America The University of Memphis Thiel College Tufts University University at Buffalo University of Akron University of Alabama University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Alaska, Fairbanks University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of Bridgeport University of California, Berkeley University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Barbara University of Central Florida University of Central Missouri University of Colorado, Boulder University of Dayton University of Delaware University of Detroit, Mercy University of Florida University of Georgia University of Hawaii University of Iowa University of Kansas University of Louisville University of Maine University of Massachusetts - Amherst University of Mississippi University of Missouri University of Missouri, Kansas City University of Montana Western University of Nebraska - Omaha University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Nevada, Reno University of North Carolina, Greensboro University of North Carolina, Wilmington University of North Dakota University of North Texas University of Oklahoma University of Redlands University of Richmond University of San Diego University of South Carolina University of South Carolina, Beaufort University of South Dakota University of South Florida University of Southern California University of St. Thomas University of Tennessee Knoxville University of Texas, Arlington University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Stout University of Wyoming Utah Tech University Utah Valley University Valdosta State University Vanderbilt University Washington State University Wayne State University West Virginia University Western Carolina University Whitworth University William Penn University Winston-Salem State University York College of Pennsylvania |
About Hilinski’s Hope:
Hilinski’s Hope is a 5013c non-profit that helps colleges and universities save lives, eliminate stigma, and scale mental wellness programs for student athletes. H3H does this by sharing Tyler’s story, connecting students with mental health resources, and assisting universities to institutionalize best practices. H3H envisions a world where mental health is supported in parity with physical health and equally prioritized by universities as connected to athletic performance. To learn more about H3H please visit www.hilinskishope.org
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Contacts
DKC News: H3H@dkcnews.com
