FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indiana Preps and Indiana Department of Health Partner to Promote Mental Health Awareness and Pediatric Suicide Prevention in Youth Sports

Indiana Preps is proud to announce a new statewide awareness initiative in partnership with the Indiana Department of Health, working alongside Olivia Hesler, Adolescent Fatality Prevention Coordinator in the Division of Family Health Data and Fatality Prevention, to elevate the conversation around mental health, connection, and pediatric suicide prevention among Indiana’s youth athletes.

Launching during Mental Health Awareness Month, the campaign will focus on one powerful truth:

Even the strongest athletes need support.

Athletes are often viewed through the lens of toughness, resilience, and performance. But behind the jersey, athletes also experience pressure, anxiety, depression, isolation, injury recovery, identity struggles, and the weight of expectations—often silently.

Recent tragedies involving professional athletes have reminded the sports world of an urgent reality: mental health does not discriminate by talent, success, or status. The same conversations taking place on the professional stage must also happen earlier—in locker rooms, classrooms, homes, and communities across Indiana.

Through its statewide reach, Indiana Preps will dedicate content, storytelling, athlete voices, and educational messaging to encourage young people to:

  • Check on teammates and friends
  • Speak openly about mental health
  • Recognize warning signs
  • Understand that asking for help is strength—not weakness
  • Build cultures of connection in sports communities

“This partnership is about using our platform for impact,” said Indiana Preps leadership. “We cover athletes year-round, but our responsibility goes beyond performance. If we can help one athlete feel seen, supported, or encouraged to reach out—this campaign matters.”

The initiative will run throughout May with weekly educational content, awareness graphics, stories from athletes, and messages designed to strengthen community support around Indiana’s young people.

Indiana Preps believes the strongest teams are built on connection—and checking on each other may be the most important play we make all year.