What is Morgan’s Message?
A non-profit organization that is based on the Duke lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers and her struggle with mental health that resulted in her taking her own life in 2019. The tragedy of her situation sparked the idea within her various communities to spread Morgan’s story about her struggle with mental health despite being an athlete. Morgan’s Message focuses on breaking the stigma around mental health especially within the athletic communities from high school to professional sports. A major part of Morgan’s Messages goal is to create a platform to spread advocacy for peer-peer conversation which helps normalize conversations that may be more difficult. Morgan’s death was not only tragic but it was also a cry, or warning to people within the athletic world. Her tragedy represents the countless athletes that struggle with the mental aspect of their health that is often overlooked due to the physical health concern. Morgan’s Message now spreads these ideas throughout the country by allowing teams to host dedication matches in order to spread Morgan’s Message. They offer an ambassador program that allows for students, leaders in their schools, and captains to become ambassadors for Morgan’s Message further pushing the peer to peer conversations.
WHS Girls Lacrosse Morgans Message Game
On May 1st Waltham Girls Lacrosse hosted its first ever game in dedication to Morgan’s Message. The game was a great team win, 17-2. The girls lacrosse team wore matching shirts which featured the message “Human > Athlete” a saying that the Morgan’s Message program promotes. Girls were encouraged to invite family, friends and other athletes that support them in their life. Captain Quinn Gavin said, “The mental aspect of sports is so often overlooked, even though it is truly the biggest factor in every game.We got involved with the leaders of Morgan’s Message, sharing why we felt it would benefit WHS and decided when our dedication game would be.” Not only was it important that parents and families were there to support and hear Morgan’s Message, fellow athletes were there. The game spread further awareness to the program and its goals. By encouraging athlete attendance Morgan’s Message reached more of its target audience. It could have inspired or brought further comfort in talking about mental health in athletics.
A Step in the Right Direction
The fact that Morgan’s Message emerged from a tragedy underscores the need for mental health education and support resources for youth and student athletes. Mental health should be recognized the same way we value physical health, if not more. Without strong mental health, how is one expected to perform and play to their fullest potential? Morgan’s Message is just a first step in the direction towards fully breaking the stigma and normalizing talking about mental health. A distinct characteristic and unique aspect about team sports is the relationships with those on the team. Finding a way to spread the idea that those relationships that are close and safe can be utilized is crucial to breaking the stigma.
Our Community
Just recently within our own Waltham community we suffered the tragic passing of Ryan Shread, a student and athlete at WHS. Not only was this tragedy shocking and sudden, it was again a reminder that mental health challenges are ongoing despite programs like Morgan’s Message. Gavin also said, “Our community has felt the need for mental health conversations more than ever over the past few months, especially within our student-athlete community. I had seen Morgan’s Message online several times over the years, but seeing the impact of losing Ryan made it ever so clear that this program was needed in our community. Having this game was great, but our hope for being Waltham’s ambassadors goes beyond that, as we strive to truly end the stigma of mental health in Waltham, as our community continues to mourn and grieve.”
Resources
Morgan’s Message is just one of the several resources for those in need of mental health support. The JED Foundation and the research that the NCAA produces about mental health are good resources for teams and individuals wanting support or just a better education of mental health. Aside from specific foundations/programs many hospitals have a specific section or area that has mental health resources: people to talk to, numbers for help, and other information on mental health. Support is available for any athlete at any level and should be utilized to its fullest potential.
