INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Simon Fraser University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's (SAAC) multi-year mental health campaign focused on helping students and student-athletes proactively strengthen their mental health resilience, has been selected a finalist for the 2022 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
 
Supporting student's mental health is a central focus within SFU's student community and SAAC has been a driving force behind increasing resources and support on campus for all students. During the global pandemic, SAAC shifted its focus to the health and well-being of students, launching a multi-year initiative to support the mental health and wellness of SFU students just as COVID-19 was negatively impacting their mental health.
 
"I am incredibly proud of SFU SAAC, their leadership, their resiliency and their commitment to improving the student-athlete experience," said Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation, Theresa Hanson.  "The pandemic has not been easy for students-athletes, but SAAC found a way to connect with their peers, support each other and make a positive and lasting impact."
 
Twenty-six schools and two conferences have been named finalists for the 2022 Division II Award of Excellence, an accolade recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. Finalists were chosen by a committee of NCAA athletics administrators. Each finalist will receive $500 USD which is intended for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events. Read about the other finalists here.
 
SAAC launched a social media campaign to create awareness in the student community, held group zoom discussions, developed supports such as journal writing, meditation and podcasts, all in consultation with SFU Health and Counselling and the Athletic and Recreation departments' first-ever mental health case worker, appointed in 2020. In addition, SAAC funded and presented a workshop– Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression – to address the many issues in today's society that impacts the mental health of Black and Indigenous students.
 
Initially, SAAC launched a "Find Your Why" campaign to help students develop a more meaningful focus in their lives. "In our launch year, we wanted to focus on developing each individual's personal inner strength, a foundation to good mental health," said SAAC president Ryan Stolys.
 
This past year, SAAC focused its support around building resilience. A social media campaign was developed around #MentalHealthMonday and amplified by the 36 student-athletes on SAAC and SFU's 400 student-athletes.
 
"As social influencers on campus, student-athletes used their social equity to talk openly and publicly about mental health issues and help students become more aware of available support," said Stolys.  "Social media focused on a specific topic, provided information, suggestions, and resources to proactively improve mental health. Student-athletes have made it okay to talk about mental health struggles."
 
Each month SAAC has a theme that is related to Resilience. That theme gives students a specific focus for the week through a 'Mental Health Monday' social media post that provides a tip, podcast, music playlist or some kind of helpful activity that can improve one's mental health.
 
Join the conversation with SAAC on Instagram @SFU_SAAC.
 
NCAA Division II honours its members each year for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campuses. A committee of athletics administrators determined this year's finalists, and the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selects the winner, who will be announced at the Division II business session Jan. 22 at the 2022 NCAA Convention.
 
Each finalist will receive $500. In addition, the winner will receive $2,500, the first runner-up will receive $1,250 and the second runner-up will receive $1,000. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.
 
Follow SFU Athletics on Twitter and on Instagram @SFU_Athletics.
 
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