CLEVELAND — Rocket Arena was filled with the familiar sights and sounds of a Cleveland Cavaliers game on Monday night.
What You Need To Know
The Cleveland Cavaliers hosted Mental Health Awareness night Monday at Rocket Arena
The Cavaliers hosted a fireside chat with Cleveland Clinic psychologists and student athletes from Lutheran West High School
Proceeds from Monday night’s 50/50 raffle benefitted Beech Brook and the Cleveland Clinic to support their mental health work
Before the crowd cheered on the Cavaliers against the Jazz there was a different type of applause inside Gilly’s. It came from Northeast Ohio student athletes who participated in a mental health fireside chat hosted by the Cavaliers and the Cleveland Clinic.
“It’s important to have these conversations, especially at a young age when students, young athletes are so impressionable and they want to learn more about how to support their mental well-being,” Cleveland Cavaliers director of community impact Lucy Veres said. “Facing stress in sports, facing pressure in sports, facing anxiety and different things like that.”
Lutheran West high school senior Ava Adya is grateful for the opportunity to discuss what she says is so important for athletes like her.
“I think my biggest takeaway was that your feelings aren’t embarrassing,” said Adya. “It actually can be a strength. And it’s always OK to ask for help.”
Adya said hearing from professionals during mental health awareness night with her teammates by her side will strengthen their bond.
“I think it’s super important because no one understands what you’re going through like your teammates,” Adya said. “To be able to talk to them on such a personal level is so important.”
Dr. Adam Borland, a Cleveland Clinic psychologist, says it’s important for young athletes to understand they’re much more than their performance on the field and any struggles they may deal with off of it.
“This doesn’t define you when you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, the feelings of self-doubt that are completely normal and natural,” said Borland. “They’re making the choice to engage in athletics, which is wonderful to teach us so many important lessons in life.”
During Monday’s game fans could sign a gratitude wall and participate in other activities on the concourse as the team continues its mission to break the stigma.
“It’s important because we want to make it a conversation in the community, bring it to our fans, get in touch with our players, our team members, and just sort of talk about why having mental wellness is so important to everybody in our community,” Veres said.