Athletics Hosts Student-Led Mental Health Summit

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University Department of Athletics hosted a Mental Health Summit on Monday, October 16 for student-athletes to share their experiences and offer their concerns for mental health issues of college student-athletes. The summit was moderated by Rosie Cheng, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Wellness and Belonging, and Shane Chaplin, the Executive Director of CMU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS), and supported by The Plaidvocates.

The event was developed for Carnegie Mellon student-athletes following CMU’s staff participation at a similar event hosted by the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) in April.

“In 2022, the NCAA tragically lost five student-athletes to suicide and it broke my heart,” said Cheng. “They were thriving in their respective sports, struggling in silence, and no one knew they needed help. I never want our student-athletes to ever feel that they can't ask for help. Today we provided a platform where student-athletes shared their lived experiences with their peers, coaches, staff, and administrators and it was the first step to breaking stigmas and getting the mental health conversation started.” 

Monday’s summit began with keynote speaker and alumnus MacKenzie Boyd sharing her story and experience with mental health during her time as a member of the women’s basketball team.

"By telling my story, I hope that I can help a student-athlete learn from my experiences at CMU,” said Boyd, a 2015 Carnegie Mellon graduate. “I wanted to help facilitate the mental health conversation between student-athletes and coaches." 

Ten student-athlete panelists shared their experiences and answered questions before breakout sessions for the coaches, faculty, staff, and student-athletes closed the event.

“It was important to have the summit because it provided student-athletes with a platform to voice their concerns in a safe space and to inform others on how they can best be supported during their time at CMU,” said junior swimmer Christian Lanuza. “This summit was the first step in creating an environment that best supports the student-athlete community on and off the field.”

Lanuza, the President of The Plaidvocates, wanted to participate as a panelist because he understands the importance of mental health and how important it is for individuals to take care of themselves during their time at CMU.

He added, “I hope that through my participation as a panelist, I can support other student-athletes facing any ongoing mental health issues. I hope our conversation about creating an environment that gives student-athletes the best chance for success on and off the field inspires change within teams and the administration.”

The Department of Athletics plans to host additional summits for student-athletes who couldn’t make the event on Monday due to competition or time away for fall break. Additionally, an action plan for how coaches and staff members can assist student-athletes with any struggles surrounding mental health will be designed.

Assistant volleyball coach Natalie Cohen reiterated everyone's thoughts on the event saying, “It was a great opportunity for our student-athletes to share their lived experiences and have a voice. I look forward to continuing these important conversations to support and enhance the overall well-being of our incredible student-athletes.”