Supporting the Mental Health of our Mustangs
In May of 2021, Cal Poly Athletics pledged to support the mental health of our Mustangs during the time of uncertainty caused by the pandemic. This was extremely taxing on all student-athletes, who were unable to compete with teammates, unable to access in-person advice from coaches and unable to experience the positivity brought by unconditional fan support.
Mustangs Connected Campaign
We launched a monthlong campaign, Mustangs Connected, coinciding with May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Cal Poly Athletics aims to continuously build mental health awareness and wellbeing among Cal Poly’s student-athlete population, and help “buck the stigma” surrounding mental health.
Our goal was to raise $16,500 to fully fund a virtual technology, Talkspace, available as a resource for all 550 student-athletes for the 2021-22 year. We were successful in our goal, raising over $17,000. To see our progress throughout the campaign, click here!
Making a Difference
Starting fall of 2021, our Mustangs will have access to 24/7 virtual support from medical professionals. These licensed mental health experts will help our student-athletes improve their mental game by boosting confidence that will increase academic success, athletic performance, and social health.
Talkspace is utilized as virtual support with benefits including meditation, one-on-one therapy sessions, sleep training, positive self-talk exercises, and more. This technology will give each student-athlete, across all 21 sports, access to a virtual resource with easy scheduling abilities so they can fit meetings or exercises into their busy schedules.
Thank you to all the generous Cal Poly alumni, parents, and supporters who joined our campaign to help support the continued mental health of our Mustangs. You have made a difference for our student-athlete population and helped us ensure a safe environment where they feel appreciated by our Mustang Family.
Paying it Forward
Cal Poly Athletics continues to focus on ensuring our student-athletes are safe and appreciated, making daily efforts to strengthen their mental growth, strength, and sustained health. If you’re interested in supporting mental health resources for our Mustangs for the 2022-23 year, please visit the link below.
“When Mustangs support Mustangs, the Cal Poly community is strengthened.”
