UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - On Friday January 27, the Penn State women's ice hockey program played in their first Mental Health Awareness game in collaboration with Morgan's Message.
Morgan's Message is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding mental health in the student-athlete community. Morgan's Message strives to equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.The night was a success. The women's hockey team shared a message important to them while extending resources and support for those in need.
However, one night dedicated to this important topic is not enough. The coaching staff organized a zoom call for the team with Olympic gold medalist, Erin Ambrose.
Ambrose is a highly decorated hockey player making her international debut with Hockey Canada at just 15 years old playing for the Under-18 program. Her latest accomplishment: a 2022 Beijing Olympic gold medal. Ambrose is very outspoken about her struggles with mental health and is a compassionate advocate for mental health in hockey.
Seniors Julie Gough and Rene Gangarosa reflected on their meeting with Ambrose expressing how helpful and inspiring the conversation was. "Erin telling us her story, acknowledging we can be going through it too. She's living proof that someone at the highest level can be struggling and still perform," said Gough, "She's a good role model for other athletes who are going through that."
"You never know what's going on behind closed doors for someone," said Gangarosa. "She said it all started to get better when she reached out for help so It's just important to emphasize there's nothing to be ashamed of - reach out and get help."
Penn State women's hockey wants to stress the importance of mental health in athletics and the importance of keeping the conversation going year round.