- BJ Daniels, of Evara Health, shared insights from his athletic career and personal experiences. Daniels is a Super Bowl champion. Photo courtesy of Juvenile Welfare Board
- Casey Phillips, a team reporter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, emceed the Mind Shift Youth Behavioral Health Summit. Photo courtesy of Juvenile Welfare Board
- Players and coaches from Boca Ciega, Clearwater, Gibbs, Hollins, Largo and Osceola high schools participated in the summit. Photo courtesy of Juvenile Welfare Board
- Tony Gaskins challenged students to think about who they are beyond their sport. Photo courtesy of Juvenile Welfare Board
PINELLAS PARK – Being strong means knowing when to ask for help – a message shared with hundreds of Pinellas County Schools student-athletes Oct. 9 at the second annual Mind Shift Youth Behavioral Health Summit. Football players heard from former athletes and health professionals about handling pressure, building resilience and understanding that their identities extend far beyond their performance on the field.
Evara Health, Pinellas County Schools and the Juvenile Welfare Board partnered on a summit for players and coaches from Boca Ciega, Clearwater, Gibbs, Hollins, Largo and Osceola high schools.
“Student-athletes are often taught to push through physical pain and pressures, but mental health deserves that same level of attention and care,” said Becky Albert, director of strategic initiatives for the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County. “When teens have trusted adults and the right resources around them, they are better equipped to recognize when they are struggling and know who to go to for support.”
BJ Daniels led the summit. Daniels is not only Evara Health’s manager of strategic growth and partnerships, but also a former University of South Florida standout and NFL Super Bowl champion. He shared lessons from his athletic career and personal experiences, emphasizing that success is not defined by wins, losses or statistics.
“Athletes can feel like they have to be tough all the time – like admitting that something is bothering you is a sign of weakness,” Daniels said. “But asking for help doesn’t make you less of an athlete. It gives you the confidence to face difficult things, take care of yourself and be there for the people counting on you.”
Students also heard from Dr. Nichelle Threadgill, chief medical officer at Evara Health, and Tony Gaskins, an international speaker and team life coach who works with major athletic organizations.
Gaskins, a former collegiate football player whose career was threatened by a serious injury, drew on his experiences with adversity to challenge students to think about who they are beyond their sport.
Casey Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers team reporter and in-game host, emceed the event. The summit also featured a video highlighting local high school football players sharing their own perspectives.
“Today’s event was very inspirational and very emotional. It hit hard and deep,” said JeKobi Brown, a senior from Clearwater High School. “You lift weights to get your body strong, but you need to be mentally tough as well. Adversity can happen to the best, so it’s important to talk to someone and not be afraid to ask for help.”
“Talking to someone will open your mind,” added Alo Mafu, a senior student-athlete from Largo High School. “It will help you with your life choices, what you do on a daily basis and where you’re headed in the future.”
Evara Health leaders emphasized the importance of giving young people opportunities to address challenges before they become bigger barriers to their well-being.
“Behavioral health is health, and conversations about mental well-being should be just as normal as conversations about physical health,” Threadgill said. “Young people are navigating academics, athletics, friendships, family expectations and so many other pressures. Giving them an outlet to talk about those experiences early can make a difference.”
One in five Pinellas County youth will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime, while one in four youth have considered suicide or made a suicide plan, according to JWB statistics.
“Creating school environments where students feel supported, valued and comfortable asking for help is a priority for Pinellas County Schools,” said Lisa DePaolo, managing officer of prevention at Pinellas County Schools. “Mind Shift is one way to put that commitment into action, where students can speak freely, learn from people who have been through what they’re going through and realize that taking care of their mental health is part of being successful.”
On the web: jwbpinellas.org/childrens-mental-health
