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BIPOC Mental Health Panel
Wednesday, November 18
6-8 p.m.
 
Zoom Link: Contact Athlete Guidance and Support, Coalition of African Diaspora Student-Athletes, or by viewing either organization's Instagram profile.  
 
 
DAVIS, Calif. – For the first time in each organization's history, Athlete Guidance and Support and the Coalition of African Diaspora Student-Athletes will partner to present the inaugural BIPOC Mental Health Panel. This virtual event, which features numerous professionals, will take place on Wednesday, November 18, from 6-8 p.m.

"Educating yourself about mental health is a great way to help you, your friends and teammates because this will positively impact your community, academic and athletic performance. A lot of people do not realize that one's mental health is just as important as maintaining physical health," said AGS president Sophie Murff.
 
"Although this event focuses on Black student-athletes and people of color, information shared by professionals at the BIPOC Mental Health Panel is important for student-athletes who do not identify as people of color so they can become an important ally, especially at this time. They are the ones who can help lift up and support their teammates," added Natalie Wilson, AGS' representative for CADSA, who is co-planning the event with CADSA president Flora Oliveira.

Student-athletes who are interested in this event can obtain the Zoom link by contacting AGS directly by clicking here, CADSA leadership by e-mail at cadsa.ucdavis@gmail.com, or by visiting either organization's Instagram account on the week of the BIPOC Mental Health Panel.

As one of the first Student-Athlete Resource Groups on campus at UC Davis, AGS has become one of the leading organizations of its kind in the collegiate athletics space.

"AGS is a student-run organization, that started two years ago, for student-athletes to learn about resources on campus and to create a community focused on maintaining positive mental health. Student-athletes' mental health is worth the investment, they need to know that others are dealing with similar challenges and that resources, and people, are available to help everyone handle these situations in a positive manner," said Wilson.
 
"For a while, AGS specialized in overall mental health in athletics; as more and more people joined and shared what student-athletes were coping with, the organization decided to focus on specific topics throughout the upcoming year: race and identity, body image, sports performance, and more," said Murff.

"When CADSA reached out to AGS, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate and focus our efforts on a specialized topic.

"Flora (Oliveira) deserves credit for this partnership, she wanted to branch out and develop smaller focus groups because mental health is a broad topic that encompasses many parts of our lives," Murff added.

The initial purpose for CADSA was largely educational: to introduce black student-athletes to the existing support systems on campus. Through the group's efforts, UC Davis coaches are also made aware of such resources for their prospective student-athletes — a PSA's tour of campus can include an introduction to Kayton Carter, the executive director for the university's Center for African Diaspora Student Success — and the safe space this organization provides to student-athletes.

"CADSA was created solely for the purpose of serving Black and minority student-athletes, or anyone that identifies within the African Diaspora," said Oliveira. "I think it is important for incoming freshman, transfers and current student-athletes to know CADSA, and know that it is here for the student-athletes. We have all shared this experience at UC Davis, and we want to make this environment comfortable for everyone.

"We have grown our organization to become national, and reached out to several organizations across the nation to create Black student-athlete organizations on their campus."

Even though the BIPOC Mental Health Panel was organized to serve Black student-athletes, AGS and CADSA leadership strongly encourage all student-athletes to participate in this inaugural event.

"There is more asked from student-athletes compared to their peers who focus solely on their academics. Some student-athletes struggle with the challenges and pressure of balancing their athletic and school schedules."

Added Wilson, "Know that you are not alone and there are people who are looking out for you. Your mental health is worth the investment; there are others who participate in weekly meetings to determine the best ways, and what events to organize, to help others.

"CADSA and AGS are organizing this event for the sole purpose of helping other student-athletes."

Members from both organizations are looking forward to turning the BIPOC Mental Health Panel into an opportunity for all UC Davis student-athletes to take advantage of each year.

"Black mental health is definitely underdiscussed and underrepresented in a lot of spaces. With the events that took place throughout the year, it is really important to focus on this topic. We want to check in on our Black and minority brothers and sisters. With an event like this, we want to create that space and make this an annual event," said Oliveira.

"We hope our Black and minority student-athletes will leave the panel with information and tips to help take care of their mental health, and check-in on a regular basis. We also hope the panelists will provide additional insight, create a network and support the students outside of an athletic environment."
 
She added, "The goal is for this event to become the foundation for something bigger in future years. We want to partner with AGS and other organizations on a yearly basis to bring Black mental health, and other identities, to the forefront."

Events like the BIPOC Mental Health Panel serve a dual purpose: Not only are these educational opportunities vital for student-athletes' mental health, they also provide opportunities for their peers to learn more about AGS, CADSA and how each student-athlete resource group enhances their UC Davis undergraduate experience.
 
"Being a part of AGS and learning about mental health is extremely beneficial. I think all of the members (in this group) have experiences with individuals turning to us for advice, when experiencing a crisis. It is really hard to know how to handle these situations if you do not have the proper education regarding mental health and suicide awareness," explained Murff.

"Hearing how much support we have, and seeing how CADSA has grown throughout the last few years has been amazing. CADSA is dear to my heart because there was no space created for Black student-athletes in the past before this organization was created. To see so many people put in the time and effort, outside of the jobs they already have, has been incredible," Oliveira said.
 
"It is really inspiring to see everyone come together to create this space. This creates a lot of hope for the future and what we will leave behind for other student-athletes."  
 
 
 
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
With the addition of equestrian and women's beach volleyball in 2018, more than 700 student-athletes represent the fifth-ranked public school in the nation on one of 25 intercollegiate athletics teams.
 
UC Davis, a national leader in Title IX gender equity and leadership, is centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley; and offers an unrivaled student-athlete experience that features the ideal combination of elite academics, Division I athletics and personal growth.
 
Ranked annually in the top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility, UC Davis is uncommonly committed to preparing student-athletes for life after graduation with Aggie EVO — an innovative student-athlete outcomes program that helps young women and men develop passions, gain real-world experience, and enjoy a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school. Through Aggie EVO, Intercollegiate Athletics provides unmatched resources and a vast network of working professionals to ensure post-graduation success for its student-athletes.