TEDSports: Mental Health Response

TEDSports Indianapolis mental health discussion Hope Solo

TEDSports Indianapolis was an extraordinary three days of excellent presentations, inspirational discussions, heart tugging stories, and passion projects from across the globe. I was particularly drawn to the mental health discussion, but I was left with an urgency to bring forth MORE.

The discussion was filled with encouragement to ‘kick the stigma’ from the Kalen Jackson, Co-owner of the Indianapolis Colts and supported by USWNT soccer legend Hope Solo and performance psychologist Jesse Steinfeld. But I feel strongly the discussion was short of the goal line.

The trio told stories of how their messages have allowed individuals to seek assistance and has certainly helped individuals. I have my own experience of sharing my mental health story and I know it encouraged some students at Butler University to feel more open about seeking assistance.

Here is the rest of the story …

Our society needs to prepare to help. How do we support someone who seeks help, ask a question, calls a friend, screams for help?

We need to provide an ecosystem of support similar to systemic and musculoskeletal illness and injury. While at the Old National Center for the TED program I identified in each room a fire extinguisher, an AED, wayfinding signs for emergencies and they had two (2) paramedics in the building at all times.

But what resources were available for a mental health crisis? How equipped was the audience, organizers, operations staff to manage a mental health ‘injury’?

Comparison of Readiness

Nearly one in four U.S. adults report having taken a CPR course within the past two years.

Only 17 percent of the US population people could correctly identify the core components of Mental Health First Aid and fewer than 10 percent had ever taken an MHFA course

Yes, we need to continue the national open dialogue of mental health, we need Kick the Stigma, we need Hope Solo being vulnerable in public forums, but we need to take the next step.

Our society needs to provide education to coaches, parents, and the public on how to respond. Get comfortable with the listening and talking points.

We need a society that will run towards the mental health issue versus looking at our feet and hoping someone else with help.

We need a public venue of the next TEDSports Indianapolis to have an operational readiness plan for mental health support and not just for an asthma attack or a sprained ankle.