Tampa, Florida – As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the United Soccer League (USL) today announced the launch of NEED SUPPORT?, a new platform focused on raising awareness of the importance of mental health in the community.
The campaign highlights innovative partnerships with: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline). Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and managed by Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant), 988 Lifeline is a free and confidential service for people in suicidal or emotional distress. A national network of local crisis centers that provide support24. In the US you work a few hours a day, seven days a week. Throughout the 2023 season, USL and its clubs will continue to raise awareness of 988 Lifeline to help people in our community navigate mental health at all stages of life.
“Recent statistics on mental health, especially among the youth who make up the majority of American soccer fans, should sound alarm bells for everyone,” USL CMO Greg Larus said. “Why are we launching NEED SUPPORT? We are committed to participating in campaigns and caring for the mental health of our communities. We are proud to spread the word about the support available to those who are at risk, and how we can all help each other.This is just the first step, but it is an important one.”
The US mental health crisis is getting worse, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This affects all groups regardless of age, race, gender or sexual orientation, but is most pronounced among young people.
CDC’s recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey situation:
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In 2021, 42% of high school students reported experiencing “persistent sadness and hopelessness,” up from 28% in 2011.
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Twenty-two percent said they were “serious about attempting suicide,” up from 16% in 2011.
Need help? The campaign will begin rolling out this weekend across the USL Championship and USL League 1, including during the national broadcast of Louisville City FC vs. Miami FC on ESPN2 on Saturday.
“Vibrant Emotional Health is proud to partner with the United Soccer League for their all-important NEED SUPPORT? Campaign during Mental Health Awareness Month,” said 988 Suicide and Crisis Life, Vibrant’s Chief Suicide and Crisis Life. Dr. Tia Doll, line manager, said. “We must work together to inform, educate, and raise awareness of critical life-saving resources like 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline across the league and nationally. More people have access to 24/7 emotional support, fewer suicides and mental health crises, and a path to well-being for all. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of USL and its clubs to build dialogue and action on this issue.”
The partnership includes a 988 Lifeline-themed armband that team captains can choose to wear this weekend and at any game during the season. Other elements of the awareness campaign include 988 Lifeline public service announcements, his LEDs inside the stadium, his resources online, and social posts. Finally, USL will host a 988 Lifeline-led webinar for USL Headquarters staff to provide mental health he resources for staff and tools to help them recognize the mental health crisis of their friends and colleagues.
In March, USL championship club Sacramento Republic FC announced a unique partnership with 988 Lifeline, which will feature 988 Lifeline on the right sleeve of the club’s first team and academy jerseys throughout the 2023 season. It was supposed to be patched. As part of the partnership, a portion of the proceeds from each kit sale will support local mental health and wellness efforts through nonprofit partners.View the full release here here.
Need help outside of Mental Health Awareness Month? The campaign will continue throughout the season and will be rolled out at scale during National Suicide Prevention Week in September.
USL has developed a program that provides: Adult Mental Health First Aid (AMHFA) Training for coaches across professional leagues. Mental Health First Aid is an evidence- and research-based course created in partnership with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Adult mental health first aid focuses on common mental health signs and symptoms, substance use issues, and how to respond from early intervention to crisis.
This training program will be conducted in collaboration with MHFA Certified Instructor and Community Mental Health Facilitator, Natascha Buffo. Dirt & Tearsis a mental health and leadership training company focused on “comforting the uncomfortable, telling the untold stories, and guiding the tough debates.”
“Almost all of my clients agree. They want to help, but they’re not sure when to come forward, what to say, how to influence,” Buffo said. says. “We are proud to partner with USL. We have witnessed that just as an individual cannot win a game or finish a season without practice, mental health cannot be achieved alone without support and information. We have to work together as a community, just as a team does to achieve its goals.”
It’s also worth noting that as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the USL Players Association (USLPA) recently announced a partnership with Onrise Care to provide mental health support to its players. Through this partnership, PA members can receive player care, telemedicine and medication management to support player needs ranging from sports life balance, injury relief, relationship issues and substance abuse support. Read the USLPA announcementhere.
About USL
With over 200 communities of influence, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in North America. The USL is the first and only football organization in the United States to build a youth-to-pro path for both women and men within one ecosystem. Its structure includes three professional leagues: the USL Championship (men’s), USL League 1 (men’s), and the USL Super League (women’s) starting in August 2024.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifelines
Funded by SAMHSA and operated by Vibrant Emotional Health, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential emotional support and crisis counseling nationwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people facing suicidal or emotional distress. Callers following the “Press 1” prompt will be connected to the Veterans Affairs Crisis Line. A Spanish line is available by pressing #2 when dialing 9-8-8, and over 150 languages are supported by our over-the-phone interpreter service. Callers now also have the option to follow the “Press 3” prompt to connect with a counselor specially trained to support LGBTQ+ callers. 988 Lifeline consists of a national network of more than 200 local crisis centers, connecting local resources with national best practices. Since its founding in 2005, 988 Lifeline is committed to innovative public messaging, the development of best practices in mental health, and creative partnerships to improve crisis response services and advance suicide prevention for all. I was. https://988lifeline.org/
