Mental well-being is followed by an irreversible stigma. When taking mental health into consideration, many view it as a sign of weakness. However, coming to terms with mental health is vital for a person to thrive.
Morgan Rodgers was a student-athlete at Duke University, playing for the program’s Division 1 Women’s Lacrosse team. Before kicking off her sophomore season, she suffered a tragic knee injury in 2017. Despite her relentless effort during the long rehabilitation process, the stress of life became overwhelming. On July 11 of 2019, the twenty-two-year-old took her own life.
To share her story, the non-profit organization Morgan’s Message was established by her mother, Dona Rodgers, other family, and friends, in 2020. The platform aspires to bring awareness to student-athlete’s mental health through normalizing communication of emotions and eliminating the lingering stigma.
In the past five years, the organization has received tremendous support that has allowed the message for mental health to be spread across the nation. As part of that mission, the organization provides a Student-Athlete Campus Ambassador program where current high school or college student-athletes can become advocates to inform their communities.
Last year, becoming a Morgan’s Message ambassador sparked interest in varsity softball player Katelyn Shipp.
“Before I moved [to Delaware], I knew a girl who went to an opposing school, and she was really strong about [the program],” Shipp said. “After my two hip injuries, it seemed like something that I wanted to be a part of.”
After applying, Shipp was accepted into the program. This will be her second year advocating under the role of an ambassador. As an ambassador, Shipp works with the organization where she receives new information monthly that she then relays to her team through meetings.
Besides personal team meetings, the Hayes softball program hosted a game specifically dedicated to Morgan’s Message to educate others.
“[At the game] there [was] a ceremony to remember Morgan and what the message is actually for,” varsity softball player Kasey Beswick said. “To remember that there’s a greater purpose to the game and that [athletes] are not alone.”
During the ceremony, Shipp presented a speech that signifies the importance of mental health and how the community can get involved through donations and spreading awareness themselves.
In order to promote the game and its dedication, each softball player gets involved. For example, last year the team came together by coloring butterflies that recognized Morgan and hung them up around the school.
“[The message] brings us more together as a team,” head softball coach Mark Thomas said. “Not just during the [Morgan’s Message] game, but even after.”
Incorporating Morgan’s Message into their season has allowed the softball team to build bonds with each other, helping players both on and off the field.
“I definitely think it makes it a lot easier to be kind to each other,” Beswick said. “I think hearing everybody’s personal stories definitely makes us more aware of how we treat each other and other people.”
As a team, players are able to communicate with one another and are aware of the dangers mental health can cause.
Since Shipp is a senior, the team will not have an ambassador for the upcoming year. Nevertheless, other members, including underclassmen, could step up to fill the role.
Being an ambassador is not limited to certain sports; any student-athlete at Hayes who is interested could apply for the position.
“It would be cool to see other teams at Hayes start their own Morgan’s Message games as well,” Thomas said.
This year, the tribute softball game was hosted on April 14, against conference opponent Westland.
All in all, Shipp, the softball program, and the Morgan’s Message program are protecting the mental health of student-athletes by regularizing the importance and communication of emotions.
“No matter what sport you play, no matter what you do, everybody has to come to terms with mental health at one point,” Beswick said.
