The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference would like to highlight the outstanding work that is being done on our member institutions' campuses in regards to mental health awareness and programs that are being offered to student-athletes to break the stigma and find student-athletes the help they may need. 

Alfred State College
On October 21, Jonah Bayliss, a former professional baseball player presented “Prove Yourself Right” during their Pioneer Excellence Series. Additionally, on February 3, also part of the Pioneer Excellence Series, a panel discussion was presented by Coach Jeff McKay, Erica Lewis-Ellison and Associate AD/SWA Jennifer Enke called “What’s on Your Mind – Mental Health Tips and Tactics for Athletes”. 

Hilbert College 
Hilbert had author Kate Fagan on campus this past fall, as she wrote the book What Made Maddie Run, a book that discusses mental health and its affects on student-athletes. Hilbert SAAC members had access to a meeting with Fagan to speak with her about her book. 

Additionally, all of the Hilbert sports teams are able to set up meetings with Chris Suita, Director of the Student Counseling Center, to talk about the importance of mental health. Dr. Suita enlightened the student-athletes by doing activities and team sessions to connect them more with their teammates, therefore producing a more positive mindset. The Hawk athletes also took part in a community walk in November called “Out of the Darkness” which highlighted awareness/funding to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Hilbert Athletic Department is planning on having a mental health speaker on campus during the 2020-21 academic year.

Mount Aloysius College
In January, the Mount Aloysius Athletic Department hosted Dr. Carl Ohlson and Adrianna Napletano from Penn State's Performance Psychology department. 

Penn State Behrend
A mental health associate on campus goes to the athletics office weekly to give student-athletes the opportunity to discuss concerns they have. They have found that the student-athletes feel more comfortable talking in the environment in which they compete, rather than going to the health associate’s office. The associate feels it has increased the awareness with the student-athletes on campus. The Lions plan to continue this program for a third year in 2020-21.

Pitt-Bradford 
The Pitt-Bradford Athletic Department created a Student-Athlete Mental Health Awareness Committee (SAMHAC) this past year. With this past fall being the first semester for the committee, they hosted a kick-off event on campus. This event included SAMHAC wristbands, a bounce house, food provided by Metz, and a side game of basketball for all who wanted to participate. In addition, the committee paired up with Counseling Services during Mental Health Awareness Week by taking part in Depression Screening Day. Unfortuantely, due to the COVID-19 shutdown, other highly anticipated events fell through, but they are hoping SAMHAC can fulfill their Panther Paws for a Cause Walk and much more in 2020-21.