U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) players are using their platform at the World Cup to raise awareness about mental health. Alongside Common Goal, a charity organization focused on creating social impacts in global soccer, the players have launched a new mental health initiative. FOX Sports, the English-language broadcast rights holder for the tournament in the United States, has also pledged to dedicate 1 percent of the tournament’s airtime to mental health.
In a heartfelt essay published in The Players’ Tribune, USWNT defender Naomi Girma dedicated this World Cup to her late Stanford teammate Katie Meyer, who died by suicide in March 2022. Girma acknowledged the difficulty of discussing such a sensitive topic on the eve of a major tournament but emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues. The mission of the initiative is to help people feel less alone, and ten USWNT players, including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Sophia Smith, are featured in a video released to highlight the campaign.
During a press conference in Auckland, New Zealand, Sophia Smith and defender Emily Fox discussed their approaches to protecting their mental health during the tournament. Smith, who was also teammates with Meyer at Stanford, expressed how emotional it is for her to talk about Katie but emphasized that she is now in a place where she can discuss her in a positive light. Smith revealed that Girma approached her a few months ago with the idea of collaborating with Common Goal on the mental health initiative, and she immediately felt compelled to be a part of it.
The experience has changed Smith’s perspective on life, making her realize that there are more important things than the little stressors that used to consume her. She now values life, friendships, and relationships more than ever before. Following the World Cup, Common Goal plans to bring together coaches from over 15 sports-based youth development organizations in under-resourced communities across the United States. These coaches will receive training on positive coping strategies and personal support, aiming to provide mental health resources to communities that historically lack access to them.
Additionally, Common Goal intends to offer mental health and emotional well-being training for players from some NWSL teams, further emphasizing the need to prioritize mental health in soccer communities. Lilli Barrett-O’Keefe, the executive director of Common Goal USA, expressed the organization’s determination to create a culture shift in player care at all levels of the game. The players involved in the initiative are pushing the narrative forward and holding everyone accountable to not only talk about mental health but also take action.
While mental health is a heavy topic to address during a major tournament, it is crucial to acknowledge the immense pressure on young players to secure a third consecutive World Cup win for the USWNT. The team had a discussion about mental health, external pressures, and how they can lean on the veterans who have experienced various positions and situations throughout their careers. Emily Fox mentioned that deleting Twitter has been the best decision she made, as it allows her to focus solely on the task at hand without being distracted by outside noise.
Despite the pressure, the USWNT members are fully aware of the platform they have during this tournament. They understand that many people, especially student athletes, are silently struggling with mental health issues. Their goal is not just to raise awareness but also to provide young people with the necessary tools to cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and their darkest days. They want to ensure that individuals understand that it can always get better, even when it feels like the weight of the world is on their shoulders.
The USWNT’s dedication to mental health is commendable. By using their influence and platform, they are shining a light on an important issue that affects countless individuals worldwide. Their efforts to create a culture shift and provide resources for under-resourced communities demonstrate their commitment to making a lasting impact beyond the World Cup. As fans, we can support their cause by spreading awareness, advocating for mental health, and encouraging open conversations about this critical topic.