As the calendar turned from May to June, the Case Western Reserve University Department of Physical Education and Athletics had an opportunity to reflect on the various programs it has implemented over the past academic year geared at supporting the mental health of its student-athletes for Mental Health Awareness Month.
"Encouraging the holistic development of the student-athletes at CWRU is tantamount to our mission," said James C. Wyant Director of Athletics TJ Shelton. "A key aspect of this is to assure they have the necessary resources and programming to support their mental health. As the Athletic Director, I am personally passionate about this, and I am proud of our department as we continue to find ways to allow our student-athletes to develop positive approaches to their mental health."
"At Case Western Reserve University, supporting student-athlete mental health is a critical part of fostering a healthy and successful athletic community," said Hillary Jones, the Director of Acute Mental Health Care, Crisis Response, and Care Management for University Health and Counseling Services at CWRU. "Ensuring athletes have access to support and resources helps them grow not only as competitors, but as students, leaders, and people."
The department has continued to support The Hidden Opponent, the leading non-profit organization for athlete mental health advocacy, education, and support. The student-led group continued to provide accessible resources and unite a global community to empower athletes to prioritize their mental health and shatter the stigma within sports culture during the 2025-26 academic year.
"The Hidden Opponent is a student-led organization focused on student-athlete mental health. Our goal is to break the stigma around mental health, create space for honest conversations, and make sure people feel supported in and out of competition," said CWRU junior wrestler Mathew Gummere. "At the end of the day, we are just trying to remind people that it is okay to not have everything figured out and that you do not have to go through things alone."
One of the highlights of the year for The Hidden Opponent was a session led by guest speaker Will Howard, the quarterback for the 2024 National Championship Ohio State Buckeyes and current player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who shared his experiences as a high-level athlete and offered advice on navigating the challenges of athletics.
As part of the OneCWRU Community Day on April 18, the department also supported the OneCWRU Run/Walk, with proceeds benefitting The Hidden Opponent.
CWRU also continued its partnership with the Conquer Life Co. during the academic year. The organization, which was founded by former Spartan soccer player Ana Arruda, uses the Conquer Life Games, a series of improvisational exercises, to positively impact the participants' mental health.
Finally, the Spartans utilized the services of mental health counselor Carlie Grandjean, who specializes in working with athletes and high performers. Grandjean was able to provide both individual and team sessions for CWRU athletes, geared toward sharpening focus and composure in practice and competition, building resilience and regulating emotions under pressure, and learning practical tools for stress, anxiety, and mistakes.
"Student-athletes are asked to perform at a high level in multiple areas of life simultaneously, often while managing significant expectations, pressure, and transitions," said Grandjean. "While we dedicate time and resources to developing physical skills and athletic performance, mental well-being deserves the same level of attention and support. Mental health and performance in sports influence how athletes cope with adversity, manage stress, maintain confidence, build relationships, and perform both academically and athletically. Prioritizing mental health and mental performance support for athletes recognizes that success extends beyond athletic achievement. It involves helping athletes develop the skills, resilience, and self-awareness needed to thrive in sport, academics, and life."
Overall, the programs utilized during the 2025-26 academic year provided a solid foundation for the department to build on as it continues to find the best ways to support the mental health of its student-athletes moving forward.
