Hello Everyone! My name is Stu Holt, and I am excited to join the 1N5 team as the new School Program Manager. I have coached basketball for 13 years, and as a coach, we often focus so much on the physical aspects that we sometimes neglect the mental health of our athletes, as well as our own. I truly believe that if, as coaches, we are going to demand that our athletes be mentally tough, then we must take some responsibility to ensure that they are mentally well. If we push our athletes to be mentally tough without them being mentally well, it can lead to burnout, stress, and many other mental health issues.
I have also worked in education for the last few years. With my combination of sports and education experience, I have seen the cost of not taking care of our mental health. Whether you are an athlete, coach, student, or teacher, there is a cost to neglecting your mental well-being. The price may be in production, decision-making, sustainability, or even our relationships, but there is always a cost. I have paid the cost of neglecting my mental health, and I strive to help others not make the same mistake. If you think the price of consistently taking care of your mental health is too high (time, resources, etc.), wait until you get the bill for not being mentally well (burnout, loss of production, etc.).
As an African American male, it is almost taboo for us to express how we feel and what we may be going through. That’s “soft”. But if you aren’t careful, you’ll have a friend group full of people that you can laugh with, but no one you can cry with. A lot of men carry a weight that no one can see, and if we also carry around a stigma of mental health, that weight can end up crushing us. Sometimes our path to healing starts with one honest conversation, and that one conversation can be the spark to a path of mental wellness. Sometimes it’s not what happens to us, but how we respond. If we possess the necessary tools and proven strategies, we will be well-equipped to respond to the challenges and pressures of life. This is something that is well needed in our schools, communities, and workplaces.
I hope that I can contribute to the mission of 1N5 of preventing suicide by erasing the stigma around mental health and promoting mental wellness.