American Players Utilize World Cup Spotlight to Drive Mental Health Initiative

The United States has brought the issue of mental well-being to the forefront during the Women's World Cup by announcing the launch of a new initiative aimed at under-served communities after the tournament.

The project, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Common Goal, was revealed following an emotional Players' Tribune post by U.S. defender Naomi Girma. In her post, she remembered her Stanford University teammate Katie Meyer, who tragically died by suicide in March 2022.

Forward Sophia Smith, who also played at Stanford, expressed that talking about Katie brings up a lot of emotions, and the initiative takes on even greater significance in light of her memories. "Everything that we do is now for Katie," she stated.

The Common Goal initiative will focus on providing mental health training to coaches from over 15 youth sports organizations, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness after the conclusion of the World Cup.

Lilli Barrett-O’Keefe, Executive Director of Common Goal USA, emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health when it comes to player care within soccer communities, stating that it's long overdue.

The United States soccer team is striving to achieve an unprecedented third consecutive title and fifth overall at the tournament being held in Australia and New Zealand. Their campaign begins on Saturday against Vietnam.

Defender Emily Fox, who is participating in her first World Cup, shared that the squad often discusses the external pressures that come with competing at the highest level of their sport. She highlighted the support she receives from a sports psychologist and the importance of leaning on her teammates who share the same experiences.

Following the footsteps of athletes like Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles and four-time tennis major winner Naomi Osaka, American soccer players are now championing the cause of mental health, breaking the taboo that once surrounded the topic in high-level sports.

Sophia Smith emphasized the significance of relying on teammates and recognizing that they are all in this together, no matter what emotions they may be facing.