BREAKING THE STIGMA


SUMMER 2020


suicide and designed the event as a 3-on-3 lacrosse tournament fundraiser. Murphy and the participants helped raise $7,000 and athletes’ mental health awareness.


Murphy suggested that McGuire bring a similar event to Winthrop’s campus.


“I never really came to terms with [my anxiety/ mental health] until junior year,” McGuire explained. “I had never created a plan. It’s not like a cold or the flu – I realize it’s not going to cure itself in a few days. There are ways to cope, and one of my ways to be better is to help others.


“I’m not the only one. For a while I thought I was the oddball on the field, but I’m not.”


‘Hope to empower more people’


For her first “Another Day” event in 2018, McGuire pulled in help from across the campus community and beyond:


For years, senior Sara McGuire perceived herself as “the oddball” on the lacrosse field. She dealt with stifling anxiety and depression, but never felt comfortable enough to talk to anyone about it.


“Especially in today’s day and age, the mental health of athletes is stigmatized,” she said. “We’re seen as popular people, brave, strong-headed… but we’re all human.”


According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly one in five adults in the United States experience a mental illness each year, or approximately 46.6 million people. More specifically, one in six U.S. youth between the ages of six and 17 experience a mental health disorder each year.


‘Not the only one’


Originally from Denver, Colorado, McGuire was recruited to play goalie for the lacrosse team. She loved the school and the chance to travel away from home. While she had originally played soccer growing up, she decided to try lacrosse with a group of friends – and instantly fell in love with it.


“Not a lot of people played it yet where I lived,” said the sport management major. “I like the fast-pace. It’s the fastest game on two feet.”


As a Winthrop lacrosse player, she heard about an event organized by former Queens University player Patrick Murphy called “LAX; Another Day.” Murphy had lost his mother and a teammate to


*Athletic Trainer Martha Rivera, who’s also USA Mental Health certified, offered the athletic mental health perspective, along with other Athletics staff; *Health and Counseling Services staff talked about their offerings and how they can help; *Murphy and former Queens Dean of Students John Downey talked about the program’s origination and their personal losses.


McGuire was shocked when she arrived early to the event and saw a line already outside of Dina’s Place.


“I was excited to see so many people,” she said. “It opened my eyes and showed me I’m not alone. It broke down a barrier. It was nice, but also sad, to see how many people struggle by themselves.”


She followed a similar format for 2019’s event. She said the events have started positive conversations


in the Winthrop Coliseum and training rooms, and prompted the Winthrop Athletics family to emphasize the importance of mental health and making time for yourself.


“[As an athlete], people care about how far you can throw, how fast you can run, but not always how much you have to hold and take in with your mind. I hope to empower more people to address their mental health.” - Sara McGuire


Students are encouraged to reach out to Health and Counseling Services at 803/323-2206 and anyone can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness hotline at 800/950-6264 to discuss mental health concerns.


McGuire was inspired to start the Winthrop event by former Queens University lacrosse player Patrick Murphy.


HOLDING ON FOR ANOTHER DAY


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