Together we can Stop the Stigma associated with discussing our mental health.

In Ohio, five people die by suicide every day. One youth dies by suicide every 33 hours.  Futhermore, there are those who are addicted to heroin, opioids, and equally dangerous illicit drugs. In 2023, there were 4,452 unintentional drug overdose deaths in Ohio.  Mental health issues and disease are often underlying factors of drug abuse and suicide.
There are many underlying issues associated with disease, addiction, and mental health wellness. We can lift those afflicted by addressing social determinants of health such as education, income, discrimination, quality of health care and access to healthy foods. Where we are born, live, learn, play, work and age, shouldn’t define who gets access to help. 

May marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “Turn Awareness into Action,” challenges each of us to go beyond simply recognizing mental health struggles—it calls us to engage, to support, and to advocate. IMPACT60 and guests were honored to feature someone many recognize from the gridiron, especially in "The Shoe", where action is always front and center. Coach Ryan Day brought us a different kind of action with his talk: one rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and courage. Coach Day chose to share his personal journey with mental health openly and powerfully. Through this advocacy, he reminds us that true leadership isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s also about making an impact off of it. This is action through advocacy in its most meaningful form.