In partnership with EVERFI’s Character Playbook, the Rams continued a virtual mental health series for 9th graders throughout the Los Angeles area. Starting his second year in the series, Rams guard Logan Bruce, running his back Killen Williams, linebacker Brayden Thomas, and Rams cheerleaders joined him directly at his two schools in South Los Angeles. Then we had a discussion about mindfulness activities and his mental wellness. The discussion also included a Q&A session with Dr. Carrie Hastings, Rams’ sports psychologist, moderated by Jonathan Franklin, Rams’ Director of Social Justice and Football Development.
The program explores a variety of topics including self-awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, mental health, coping strategies, and seeking and providing support to students. Dr. Carrie Hastings launched a Q&A focused on the importance of maintaining a positive mindset even when dealing with life’s challenges.
“Positive thinking is very important and often underestimated,” says Dr. Hastings. If there are two players with the same ability, the one with the better mindset wins. There are ways to maintain a positive mindset. First, you need to identify the maladaptive ways you think and the patterns that get in your way. The first step is to identify them, discuss them, and replace them with realistic beliefs and attitudes. No, you don’t have to worry about it. It will lead to positive thinking. ”
Mental health plays an important role in everyone’s daily life and affects people’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, deal with stress and anxiety, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood. In this discussion, participants were able to learn how to identify symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety and how to deal with them.
“Symptoms of anxiety and depression are felt in the body first,” says Dr. Hastings. “There is a difference between stress and anxiety. They can overlap, but stress is a response to certain triggers where anxiety is more prevalent. Depression is described as feeling a lack of emotion or numbness that is more than sadness.There are many resources that can help, including therapy, to start the healing process. , activities, journaling, talking to someone, etc.”
Adolescents often deal with difficult times at home, with friends, at school, or even extra-curricular activities at school that can trigger mental health. shared best practices for dealing with
“Two of the best ways to decompress are to take mental rest,” Dr. Hastings said. , Some people think that every moment should be spent perfectly, but that is not true.You need to take mental breaks so that you can preserve what you have learned, stay fresh, and retain information. There is.. Mental rest comes in the form of sleep, which allows you to shift your mind to something else entirely.”
After a question and answer session, students participated in a mindfulness activity with Rams players and cheerleaders. They discuss different ways to get a healthy lifestyle, how to stay positive during tough times, and how to help those around you who may be dealing with mental health issues. Towards the end of the session, students were able to ask newcomers how they were able to maintain a positive lifestyle during their school days and now as NFL athletes.
“You have to give 100 percent to whatever you do,” Braden-Thomas said. It doesn’t matter if he is at home or playing sports. Whatever you are doing in this world, do your best. Do what you have to do to keep yourself and those around you happy. ”
The Rams will host monthly virtual sessions for middle and high school students in the Los Angeles area through March 2023. Each session will feature a variety of mental wellness topics designed to help students learn about the intricacies of mental health disorders, healthy coping skills, and coping strategies. ask for help. EVERFI, a National Football League (NFL) partner, is an interactive digital learning solution that enables organizations to bring health and wellness education to communities wherever they are.
Last season, the Rams partnered with EVERFI’s Character Playbook to launch the first installment of a virtual mental health series for 575 students in the Los Angeles area. Students (6th grade through her 9th grade) participated in her discussions during her multiple 45-minute virtual panels featuring Rams player, cheerleader, and Rams legend Carrie Hastings. Students defined mental health, differentiated between stress and anxiety, identified symptoms, and learned tips for managing mental health in everyday life. As part of a league-wide initiative, the NFL sponsored her five schools in her LA area and her more than 800 students, giving them access to EVERFI’s Mental Wellness Her curriculum. Schools sponsored by the league include Bell High School, El Camino Real Charter High School, Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, Khan Union High School and Newbury Park High School.
For more information on Rams’ commitment to the community, please visit: www.therams.com/community.
