Maryland lacrosse player Mitchell Lloyd, who lost a teammate to suicide four years ago, is using his platform to raise awareness about mental health among student-athletes. Lloyd’s teammate, who appeared happy on the outside, was struggling with mental health issues. In honor of his friend, the lacrosse team now wears his number on their helmets and T-shirts during games. Lloyd is reminded of his friend’s loss every September during Suicide Awareness Month. He acknowledges the progress made in breaking the stigma around mental health in sports but believes more needs to be done to address the leading cause of death according to the CDC. As a student-athlete himself, Lloyd has seen firsthand how mental health is stigmatized and hopes to encourage others to speak up and seek help. He believes that education and open conversations about mental health are crucial for student-athletes. Lloyd is committed to advocating for better support systems and resources for athletes struggling with mental health issues.
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Photo credit umterps.com
University of Maryland Athletics Celebrates Affirmation Day
