Aggie athletes join in mental health awareness week

New Mexico State University is among more than 250 schools and organizations taking part in the fifth annual student athlete mental health week, promoting the mental wellbeing of athletes and honoring those whose lives have been lost.

From Oct. 5 to 12, the nonprofit Hilinski’s Hope Foundation will take part in activities promoting mental health awareness and resources and rebutting stigmas against seeking help among student athletes.

The organization was founded in 2018 by Mark and Kym Hilinski in honor of their son, Tyler,  who played quarterback for Washington State University who died by suicide after his junior year at the age of 21. Since its inception, the organization reports it has hosted over 315 “Tyler Talks” nationwide, reaching over 78,000 student athletes.

“We miss Tyler every day, but we are grateful to know that our work is making a difference,” Kym Hilinski stated in a news release. “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.”

This year, the organization is expanding its outreach to marching bands, who it says “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.”

According to a news release, participating schools commit to 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,” or by playing a Hilinski's Hope PSA at the SAMHW games, wearing ribbons or temporary tattoos provided by the nonprofit, participating in social media campaigns, engaging in internal assessments of their institutions’ mental health programs, or host talks and trainings on campus for players, coaches, bands and staff.

Student Athlete Mental Health Week coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6-12, culminating on World Mental Health Day on October 10, a release from the foundation stated.

Christine Lombardi, a founding board member, noted a local family connection: Her son is Aggie junior-year baseball player Aidan Lombardi, who she said will wear #3 in honor of Tyler Hilinski, his late cousin.

More information and opportunities to volunteer or donate are available via HilinskisHope.org.