The SMART CLUB, which focuses on raising mental health awareness, has launched a new initiative geared towards supporting student athletes. The program, which is called SET, stands for Support-Empower-Trust, and aims to enhance student-athletes mental health awareness and self-development, as well as focusing on fostering a growth-oriented mindset.
“Mental health is super important for student-athletes to balance their academic and athletic demands,” sponsor and mental health counselor Renee McEachern said. “By integrating mental-health strategies with physical well-being and time management, [SET] allows students to excel in all aspects of their lives.”
The program will feature workshops, speaker series, and awareness campaigns—all tailored to the needs of student-athletes such as balancing their school work with practices. These initiatives will aim to build confidence within student-athletes to facilitate their adaptability in the future—both in their collegiate athletic careers or life beyond sports.
“The time management I’ve developed in high school has been important to staying on top of my work and reducing stress,” Musiello said. “It’s also helped me make time to relax and hang out with friends more often.”
SMART Club president junior Balthasar Laemmli emphasized the SET program’s mission.
“[SET] focuses on mindset, which goes hand-in-hand with mental health but can also stand apart; mindset is about focus and drive, while mental health incorporates overall well-being,” he said.
By collaborating with existing student-led initiatives like the Health Information Project (HIP), SET plans to build upon the school’s administration’s efforts to promote mental health awareness. Its targeted support towards student-athletes reflects a growing recognition of the pressures they face and the need for comprehensive resources to help them succeed.
“[SET] will create a forum where student-athletes can feel safe to share their vulnerabilities, find encouragement, and learn coping strategies,” Laemmli added. “This initiative will help them pursue their goals—even in the face of adversity.”
