Super Bowl watch party raises money for mental health in Greater Cincinnati

A football watch party held at Great American Ball Park’s Champions Club turned into a fundraiser for mental health resources Sunday night. Hundreds of people attended “Touchdown for Hope,” an event hosted by the Lindner Center of Hope, aimed at expanding access to mental health care. Despite the Cincinnati Bengals not appearing in this year’s Super Bowl, many fans dressed in the team’s colors. “I came dressed for the occasion,” Robin Allen said.The benefit raised funds for the Lindner Center of Hope’s educational institute, which aims at training the next generation of mental health professionals. “The exciting thing about this is the institute will exist to train future generations of mental health workers; people in psychiatric nursing, psychiatrists and therapists,” said President and CEO Michael Groat. “People on the front lines providing hope to others.” Former Bengals offensive tackle Anthony Munoz hosted the event. He said more people are forthcoming about mental health challenges compared to his days on the gridiron. “Guys are willing to talk about it. Guys are willing to seek help, and I think that’s phenomenal,” Munoz said. Organizers said the event raised $165,000 to support the opening of the educational institute.

CINCINNATI —

A football watch party held at Great American Ball Park’s Champions Club turned into a fundraiser for mental health resources Sunday night.

Hundreds of people attended “Touchdown for Hope,” an event hosted by the Lindner Center of Hope, aimed at expanding access to mental health care.

Despite the Cincinnati Bengals not appearing in this year’s Super Bowl, many fans dressed in the team’s colors.

“I came dressed for the occasion,” Robin Allen said.

The benefit raised funds for the Lindner Center of Hope’s educational institute, which aims at training the next generation of mental health professionals.

“The exciting thing about this is the institute will exist to train future generations of mental health workers; people in psychiatric nursing, psychiatrists and therapists,” said President and CEO Michael Groat. “People on the front lines providing hope to others.”

Former Bengals offensive tackle Anthony Munoz hosted the event. He said more people are forthcoming about mental health challenges compared to his days on the gridiron.

“Guys are willing to talk about it. Guys are willing to seek help, and I think that’s phenomenal,” Munoz said.

Organizers said the event raised $165,000 to support the opening of the educational institute.