Over 250+ Schools Join Hilinski’s Hope For The Fifth Anniversary of Student Athlete Mental Health Week

Hilinski’s Hope’s fifth annual week of collective action is a continuation of the organization’s service to the mental wellbeing of students across all levels and sports

(Graphic: Business Wire)

NEW YORK--()--Hilinski's Hope Foundation (H3H), a 5013c non-profit founded by Mark and Kym Hilinski to honor the legacy of their son Tyler, today announced that more than 250 schools and organizations will be participating in the fifth annual Student Athlete Mental Health Week (SAMHW), the organization’s annual week of collective action dedicated to addressing the mental wellbeing of student athletes and honor those who lost their lives.

Starting October 5 to October 12, H3H will be joined by student athletes and athletic departments across the nation to participate in breaking down stigma, offering quality resources, and letting student athletes know they are supported.

“We are truly honored to be joined by over 250 schools and organizations to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Student Athlete Mental Health Week,” said Mark Hilinski. “Looking back to when we began this journey, we did not know how far H3H would reach and to see and feel the continued support from schools, fans, students and parents as they join us in the fight against mental illness, Tyler would be so proud.”

“We miss Tyler every day, but we are grateful to know that our work is making a difference,” said Kym Hilinski. “Thank you to each person who has joined us over the last five years, not only for spreading awareness but carrying on Tyler’s name and legacy. He will live on through your continued support each time a student athlete takes a field, rink, or track.”

In 2018, Mark and Kym Hilinski founded Hilinski’s Hope with the goal of promoting awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student athletes. Throughout the last five years, Hilinski’s Hope has hosted over 315 Tyler Talks across the nation, reaching over 78,000 student athletes.

“As someone who has dealt with mental health struggles throughout my football career, Hilinski’s Hope's mission is very near to my heart,” said Alan Bowman, starting quarterback for Oklahoma State University. “I’m fortunate to have an amazing support system and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. But there are still many people out there who need to know that it's okay to not be okay. Reach out and speak up now.”

As part of the fifth year anniversary, H3H is expanding to the marching bands that play a vital role within schools’ athletic departments. Band members hold many of the same pressures of the student athletes, balancing a busy schedule of practices and travel on top of school work. This expansion serves as a message that the mission of Hilinski’s Hope to prioritize mental health stretches beyond the white lines of a college football field and extends to students of all organizations at every level.

Participating schools have committed to at least one of the following during the week: encouraging students, parents, alumni, and fans to participate in showing solidarity, eliminating stigma around mental health by holding three fingers to the sky during the first play of the third quarter; playing a Hilinski's Hope PSA at the SAMHW games; wearing one of the many “3” ribbon products or temporary tattoos sent by H3H to their campus, participating in social media campaigns during the week, engaging in an internal assessment to evaluate how their campus is following best practices in terms of mental health programs, and include talks and trainings on campus for players, coaches, bands, and staff.

“As a coach, I see firsthand the immense pressure our student-athletes face both on and off the field. At Washington State, we take a holistic approach to developing student-athletes as we prioritize their mental health just as much as their physical health,” said Jake Dickert the Head Football Coach at Washington State University. “Hilinski’s Hope has been an amazing beacon of support and awareness for student-athletes across the country using their personal story of tragedy to help others who are in need. I look forward to our continued partnership because together we can create a culture where prioritizing mental health is a strength and no longer a weakness.”

H3H has created evidence-based mental health resources, including the Game Plan and Online Mental Health Course, which work to educate and reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, along with providing a new way of thinking and addressing mental health. As well as, the H3H’s Mental Health Support Series - a six lesson learning series for 9th-12th grade Alabama high school students focused on teaching mental health basics and putting mental health care on par with physical health.

"At Florida State University we teach our athletes that mental toughness is different from mental wellness. It takes much courage to ask for help,” said Dr. Keely Kaklamanos, Director of Athletic Clinical and Sports Psychology and Athlete Mental Health at Florida State University. “Our involvement in Hilinski's Hope assists us in normalizing help-seeking behaviors and reminds our student-athletes that they are note alone! "

Student Athlete Mental Health Week coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6-12, culminating on World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Hilinski's Hope would like to say a special thank you to our lead sponsors College Hill Threads, Expedia, FCA (Fellowship of Student Athletes), Georgetown Brewing, Lombardi Wines, Mayor of Maple Valley, Neurologic Performance Group (NPG), TCP Mulligan Coalition, VJB Cellars, and Wellington Cellars for helping make Student Athlete Mental Health Week possible.

This winter, Hilinski's Hope will partner with Athletes for Hope during Athlete Mental Health Week, February 1-8, 2025. The week will include participation from Olympians, Paralympians, Professional, Collegiate, High School and Club Team Athletes.

To learn more, donate, and/or get involved with Hilinski's Hope Foundation please visit https://www.hilinskishope.org/samhw.

To date schools from around the country participating include:

Abilene Christian University

Allen University

Arroyo High School

Auburn University

Abilene Christian University

Albany State University

Allen University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Auburn University at Montgomery

Aurora University

Austin Peay State University

Azusa Pacific University

Baldwin Wallace University

Baylor University

Bemidji State University

Benedict College

Benedictine University

Berry College

Boise State University

Boston College

Bowling Green State University

Brigham Young University

Cal Poly Pomona

California Baptist University

California State University Northridge

California State University, Long Beach

Carroll College

Central College

Central Michigan University

Central Washington University

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges

Clemson University

Colorado Northwestern Community College

Columbia University

Concordia University Chicago

Cornell University

D'Youville University

Davidson College

Delta State University

Denver University

Drake University

Drexel University

Duquesne University

Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Washington University

Edward Waters University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida International University

Florida State University

Fordham University

Gardner-Webb University

George Fox University

George Mason University

Georgetown University

Georgia Southern University

Goucher College

Grand Canyon University

Heidelberg University

Henderson State University

Hinds Community College

Howard University

Idaho State University

Illinois State University

Indiana University

Iona University

Jackson State University

James Madison University

Juniata College

Kansas State University

Kean University

Keene State College

King's College

Lamar Community College

Lamar University

Lawrence Technological University

Lee University

Lees-McRae College

Lehigh University

Liberty University

Louisiana State University

Louisiana Tech University

Marshall University

McDaniel College

Mercyhurst University

Michigan Technological University

Mid Michigan College

Middlebury College

Minnesota State University - Moorhead

Mississippi College

Mississippi State University

Missouri State University

Mt. San Antonio College

Nazareth University

New Mexico State University

North Carolina State University

North Dakota State University

North Greenville University

Northern Arizona University

Northern Michigan University

Northwestern State University

Northwestern University

Northwood University

Oklahoma State University

Old Dominion University

Oral Roberts University

Pacific Lutheran University

Park University Gilbert

Point University

Pomona-Pitzer Colleges

Prairie State College

Providence College

Rollins College

Roosevelt University

Sacramento State University

Saint Vincent College

San Diego State University

Santa Barbara City College

Seattle University

South Carolina State University

South Dakota State University

Southern Methodist University

Southern University and A&M College

Southern Utah University

St. Bonaventure University

St. Thomas University

Stanford University

Stephen F. Austin State University

Stetson University

Stevenson University

Stony Brook University

Suncoast High School

Tarleton State University

Texas A&M University

Texas Tech University

The Catholic University of America

The University of Memphis

Thiel College

Tufts University

University at Buffalo

University of Akron

University of Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alaska, Fairbanks

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of Bridgeport

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Central Florida

University of Central Missouri

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Dayton

University of Delaware

University of Detroit, Mercy

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Hawaii

University of Iowa

University of Kansas

University of Louisville

University of Maine

University of Massachusetts - Amherst

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri

University of Missouri, Kansas City

University of Montana Western

University of Nebraska - Omaha

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

University of Nevada, Reno

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

University of North Carolina, Wilmington

University of North Dakota

University of North Texas

University of Oklahoma

University of Redlands

University of Richmond

University of San Diego

University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina, Beaufort

University of South Dakota

University of South Florida

University of Southern California

University of St. Thomas

University of Tennessee Knoxville

University of Texas, Arlington

University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

University of Virginia

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin - Stout

University of Wyoming

Utah Tech University

Utah Valley University

Valdosta State University

Vanderbilt University

Washington State University

Wayne State University

West Virginia University

Western Carolina University

Whitworth University

William Penn University

Winston-Salem State University

York College of Pennsylvania

About Hilinski’s Hope:

Hilinski’s Hope is a 5013c non-profit that helps colleges and universities save lives, eliminate stigma, and scale mental wellness programs for student athletes. H3H does this by sharing Tyler’s story, connecting students with mental health resources, and assisting universities to institutionalize best practices. H3H envisions a world where mental health is supported in parity with physical health and equally prioritized by universities as connected to athletic performance. To learn more about H3H please visit www.hilinskishope.org

Contacts

DKC News: H3H@dkcnews.com

Contacts

DKC News: H3H@dkcnews.com