Jaden Veluw, a Lethbridge College Kodiaks defender, goes in for a tackle on Fabian Gromenida, a Olds College attacker, in a pre-season tournament. The Kodiaks would lose to the Broncos 6-4.
The Lethbridge College Kodiaks teamed up with the ACAC last Thursday to make some noise for mental health.
Student-athletes are balancing many different balls in the air, said a collegiate volleyball coach.
The Make Some Noise for Mental Health campaign involves student-athletes to encourage open-mindedness and empathy for students.
Ada Larson, Athletics Coordinator at the college, explained involving student-athletes will help show other students it’s okay to talk about their mental battles.
“If the athletes aren’t afraid to talk about it, deal with the issues by bringing it out in the open then that shows other college students that it’s okay as well.”
Anna Schwark, Kodiaks women’s volleyball coach, said part of the stigma of mental health is people don’t think athletes can be sensitive.
“I think part of the stigma is that being a soft, gentle person and having those mental health issues can’t transfer over to athletics.”
Schwark added being a student athlete can be stressful since you have to manage school and athletics.
“Being a student-athlete is tough. You are balancing many different balls in the air at the same time.”
Sianna Cherweniuk, Kodiaks right-side, has had her battles with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders since her sister Emmalee died in a car accident on March of 2017.
This mental health awareness night is very important to her.
“I know how it feels to have a mental illness and struggled to get help. Therefore, this is important to decrease the stigma like raise awareness and just help people and that’s what I am here to do.”
Schwark, who is Cherweniuk’s coach, explained her players have found success in the services offered at the college, which include Health and Shepell Counselling and academic advising.
“[The services] work. We have used them as a team before and I know a lot of the girls have used [the services] individually and they work. I think a lot of these girls are in a really good place when they get those issues off their chest.”
The volleyball coach added, not being mentally-well is an excuse to not be at the gym and that is something she preaches on.
“If you can’t be in the gym and give your 110 per cent, you probably shouldn’t be here. It’s not because I don’t want you here. It’s because you need to focus on yourself first.”
The event was kicked off at noon with a pep rally with all of the Kodiak player’s interacting with one another and other students.
Students were able to take pictures with one another, the athletes, coaches and Kodi the Kodiak while receiving free mental health awareness swag.