Alston for Athletes

Christa Patterson is back to share more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)! Today she is sharing what to expect when going into a CBT session. #AFA #therapy #athletementalhealth #studentathletes #studentathletementalhealth #mentalhealth #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #CBT

Ellie Simmonds is a British Paralympic swimmer who has won multiple gold medals and broken numerous world records in swimming competitions. At the 2008 Bejing Paralympics, when she was just 13 years old, she became the second youngest Paralympian in British history to win a medal of any color when she secured two gold medals for Great Britain. 🏊♀️ Ellie is known for her determination, passion, and hard work in the sport, inspiring many people around the world. Her dedication to her craft and positive attitude have made her a role model for aspiring athletes. She continues to make waves in the world of Paralympic swimming, proving that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance. #AFA #athletementalhealth #mentalhealth #swimming #Paralympics #ParalympicSwimmer #EllieSimmonds

Ever wondered what Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is? Find out from AFA's own Christa Patterson! Christa is a Mental Performance Counselor as well as a Marriage and Family Therapist, who also serves as the Associate Director at Alston for Athletes. Stay tuned for more on CBT! #AFA #therapy #athletementalhealth #studentathletes #studentathletementalhealth #mentalhealth #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #CBT

Naomi Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player. She has been ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association and is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles. Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, with two Australian Open and two US Open titles. 🎾 She has also made headlines for her brave decision to prioritize her mental health. The tennis star's openness about her struggles has sparked important conversations about the pressures athletes face and the importance of mental well-being. Osaka's actions have inspired many to prioritize their own mental health and seek help when needed. #AFA #athletementalhealth #mentalhealth #BIPOCMentalHealthAwarenessMonth #tennis #NaomiOsaka

July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! ✊🏿 ✊🏾 ✊🏽 ✊🏼 ✊ Throughout the month we will provide resources and statistics about Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and well as highlight athletes who have inspiring mental health stories. Mental Health Matters! #AFA #athletementalhealth #mentalhealth #BIPOC #BIPOCMentalHealthAwarenessMonth

As we near the end of Pride Month, we want to share some resources that are available to LGBTQ+ people, and more specifically, LGBTQ+ athletes. Whether you are out and proud, or still discovering who you are, there are resources out there to help you on your journey. Shoutout to these awesome organizations and all the work they do to support this community! 🏳️🌈 ❤️ #AFA #LGBTQ+ #PrideMonth #athletementalhealth #mentalhealth #studentathletes #LGBTQResources #AthleteAlly #TheTrevorProject #YouCanPlay #OutSports

June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and tomorrow, June 27, is PTSD Screening Day. PTSD is a mental health condition that can be caused by stress hormone overproduction as a result of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. There are several ways to try to ease one's responses to triggers including getting support from loved ones, participating in trauma focused therapy, and taking prescription medications among other available treatments. If you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, visit the National Center for PTSD ( https://buff.ly/2JAmFT6 ) for more information about symptoms and treatment options. ❤️ #AFA #mentalhealth #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #PTSD #PTSDAwarenessMonth #PTSDScreeningDay

Jason Collins is a role model for athletes and said he "had never felt more comfortable playing basketball than [he] was as an openly gay man". Though he was the first active pro athlete to come out as gay, he wants his legacy to be about how he was a good teammate. Collins has opened the door for other LGBTQ+ athletes to play the game they love as their authentic self. 🏀 #AFA #athletementalhealth #LGBTQ+ #PrideMonth #JasonCollins #NBA

During Pride Month we celebrate all the people who are living their truths and all those who are figuring out who they are supposed to be. Pride is a time to recognize the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community. 🌈 ❤️ 🏳️🌈 While we have come a long way, there is still work to do. We must continue to have open conversations and educate ourselves about available resources to support our LGBTQ+ friends/family/teammates. #AFA #mentalhealth #LGBTQ+ #PrideMonth #LGBTQathletes #athletementalhealth #studentathletes

Carly Nelson is a talented goalkeeper on the Utah Royals women's soccer team whose skills on the field are matched only by her courage and authenticity in living her truth as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a mental health advocate. Nelson is currently taking a mental health break from the Royals sharing on social media "I love this game with everything in me, but at the end of the day, it's just soccer. It began bleeding into my personal life and poisoning my love for the game. To me, that cost is far too high for me to continue." As a role model for inclusivity and acceptance, Carly's presence on the team brings a sense of unity and diversity that is truly inspiring. ⚽ #AFA #athletementalhealth #mentalhealth #CarlyNelson #womenssoccer #UtahRoyals #LGBTQ+ #PrideMonth