The South Atlantic conference, its member institutions, and partners - U.S. Council for Athlete's Health, Morgan's Message, Amy Goodson, Britt Hunter, Lucas Williams, Onrise and The Zone - want every student-athlete to know: your mental health is just as important as your physical health. This year, we embrace the theme #ownyourstory- a reminder that true success starts with prioritizing your well-being.
The 2026-27 Mental Wellness Empowerment week is September 28th-October 2nd. Here are the topics and schedule for the week:
- Monday: Disconnect to Reconnect
- Tuesday: Your Journey > Their Highlight Reels
- Wednesday: Strong Looks Different on Everyone
- Thursday: Likes Don't Define Your Worth
- Friday: Choose What You Consume
Additional Mental Wellness Resources
NCAA Health, Safety & Performance: Mental Health
NCAA Sports Science Institution (YouTube)
https://uscah.com/
https://www.thegoatandthestone.com/
https://www.itsthezone.com/
https://www.onrise.care/
https://www.lomyrick.com/
https://theplayersnil.com/
https://www.morgansmessage.org/
https://mailchimp.com/headspace/
https://wellbeingtrust.org/resources/mental-health-resources/
https://www.athletesforhope.org/
https://www.thehiddenopponent.org/
https://injuredathletesclub.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@WhatDrivesWinning
https://amygoodsonrd.com/
NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study
Partners
Britt Hunter: Britt Hunter has led a mosaic life: first as a Duke & UConn basketball player, then as a basketball coach, educator, corporate exec and now entrepreneur. Britt has lived many lives. With every transition come its own wins and many struggles, but with the right mindset, habits, and circle Britt believes you too can craft the life you want!
U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health: The US Council for Athletes' Health (USCAH) provides independent, third-party athletic healthcare consulting and accreditation to collegiate and secondary school athletic departments. Dedicated to the health, safety, and wellness of athletes, USCAH partners with institutions to elevate their medical standards and provide comprehensive solutions.
The Zone: The Zone is a healthtech platform providing mental wellness to athletes through data. We focus on making sure wellness resources are accessible and personalized to athletes, serving as the personal wellness coach in their pockets — helping programs showcase their commitment to the holistic development of their athletes.
Morgan’s Message: Morgan’s Message® was founded in 2020 to honor Morgan Rodgers, who died by suicide in 2019, and to support athletes navigating mental health challenges. The organization aims to amplify stories, resources and expertise to strengthen student-athlete mental health, build a community by and for athletes through peer-to-peer conversations and provide a platform for advocacy. Morgan's Message works to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health.
Onrise: Onrise gives athletes a confidential place to talk about everything they’re carrying, both on and off the field. From performance pressure and injury to anxiety, relationships, family and life transitions, athletes can connect with people who understand their world through peer support, licensed therapy, psychiatric care and 24/7 crisis care.
Amy Goodson: Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, is a sports dietitian with 20 years of experience working with professional teams, college athletes, and people looking to improve their health. She is the owner and founder of The Sports Nutrition Playbook, which offers personalized nutrition coaching, on-demand programs, and sports nutrition resources for athletes and teams. Amy is also an author, speaker, and nationally recognized media nutrition expert.
Lucas Williams: With experience as an NCAA athlete, coach, and administrator, Lucas Williams leverages his background in collegiate athletics alongside his education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in his work as a Mental Health and Performance Consultant. Lucas has worked in Student-Athlete Development and as a Mental Health and Performance Coach at the NCAA level. Utilizing empirical research, evidence-based practices, and methods of leading sports psychologists and mental performance coaches, Lucas aims to address the gap in student-athlete mental health and performance needs.