Morgan’s Message is a CHS club that works to break the stigma that student athletes do not struggle with mental health issues. The club promotes healthy ways to balance homework and sports and is led by student athletes.
Although Morgan’s Message welcomes everybody, the club specifically supports student athletes. Many students believe that having a place for athletes to go to and having people to relate to could be beneficial.
“Morgan’s Message started after a lacrosse player died by suicide so the club was started in honor of her to shed light on athlete mental health,” senior Lauren Lorentzen said.
Many people may have preconceived opinions on mental health among student athletes but sometimes it can be a struggle for students to balance school and their sport. Having a place for student athletes to get help when needed can benefit them with managing both activities.
“Morgan’s message club is about helping mental health issues in student athletes and helping break the stigma that surrounds their mental health,” sophomore Vivianne Adams said. “We want to provide ways for students to become less stressed.”
Some students may feel that stress can easily build up from the pressure of school and sports, as they are living up to the expectations of teachers and parents. Morgan’s Message gives thought to how many athletes feel their sport adds onto their stress from school.
“Many of us [athletes] are looked at to be tougher characters so we’re overlooked,” Lorentzen said. ”I think it’s important to recognize that although you can be doing really good in a sport, someone could shift their mindset and not be in a good headspace.”
Having a safe place to go to can be helpful to student athletes because being understood by their peers can create a community. This club creates a supportive and positive environment for anyone that needs it. Members do their best to make everyone feel welcomed and allow them to open up so they can grow the club and community.
“We have meetings every other Tuesday at lunch in room 6204 or they can also just come up to me and any of the other people in our council, and also just follow our social media,” Adams said.
It’s also important that leaders have a connection to the club and its members. If students are able to relate to the leaders it forms a more comfortable environment for club members.
“As a student athlete who is managing multiple sports and school in general, I’ve always wanted a community to be able to go to, so I wanted to start the club so I can create this community for other people,” Adams said.
The club does not only benefit the members it also benefits the leaders. Having a positive group is a good outlet for anyone that needs it, even if they may not realize it.
“The club has helped me see ways I may be hurting myself in my own life and I don’t realize that procrastinating on projects when I know I have a sports game gives me good techniques and a good place to talk about stuff I’ve been through,” Lorentzen said. “It’s a safe space for all of us.”
Students feel that this club is a refreshing and comforting place for the members and leaders. The message they hope to give is meaningful for most student athletes.
“The main message is that you are much more than your sport, that’s another big issue I think a lot of athletes face,” Lorentzen said. “ Base your worth on your athletic performance and I think the main message would be separating yourself from your sport whether you’re going through injury or other things. I think it’s really important to separate yourself from that.”
