University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Woody Myers
UNC Welcomes Victoria Garrick to Campus
9/23/2019 3:45:00 PM | General
UNC Athletics welcomed mental health advocate Victoria Garrick to campus to speak to student-athletes and staff
The Big Sky Conference's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) recently announced its initiative to increase awareness about mental health over the 2019-20 academic year. In conjunction with that, the University of Northern Colorado welcomed former USC Volleyball student-athlete and current Mental Health advocate Victoria Garrick to campus to speak with department staff and student-athletes as part of the department's Champions for Life program.
"We were very excited to welcome Victoria to campus to share her story! Mental health is a crucial topic in today's climate and by bringing speakers like Victoria to campus to share their story we hope to raise the awareness and continue the conversation about mental health within our department," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Rachel Walton.
Garrick was a walk-on student-athlete at USC, who became a 4-year starter and had a very successful career. As a libero for the Women of Troy, she won a PAC-12 championship, made two Elite Eight appearances, served two seasons as co-captain, finished first in the conference in total digs in 2018, and finished with the top five for most career digs in program history.
Despite a successful career on the surface, the high-pressure environment and intense demands of being a student-athlete took a toll on her mental health. She began sharing her story with her 2017 TED Talk, "The Hidden Opponent" sharing how she battled and overcame depression and anxiety as a student-athlete. Since then, she has grown her advocacy for mental health and self-care and shared her messages to college campuses throughout the country.
"I was so honored to share my mental health story with the incredible student-athletes and devoted athletic administration at the University of Northern Colorado," Garrick said. "It is clear that UNC is taking significant action to increase mental health awareness on campus as well as provide its student-athletes with all of the necessary resources and support their needs. It was so inspiring to see this athletic community come together and genuinely want to make a difference in college sports."
"Having Victoria in talking to our athletes about mental health was super beneficial for UNC Athletics because it showed our athletes that it's okay to be vulnerable," junior linebacker and Big Sky SAAC President Justice Littrell said. "Today's society has pushed the athlete's feelings and emotions aside because we are supposed to be tough, and able to handle anything. However, no one understands what athletes go through besides athletes, and so to have one come and share her story, especially when she speaks from experience and tough trials at a high-level institution like USC, really shows us that it's okay to ask for help. She is helping build a bridge for all athletes to cross if and when they need help. Overall, it really was an impactful experience for everyone involved."
To stay up to date on all things UNC Athletics, visit UNCBears.com and follow the department on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNC_Bears.
"We were very excited to welcome Victoria to campus to share her story! Mental health is a crucial topic in today's climate and by bringing speakers like Victoria to campus to share their story we hope to raise the awareness and continue the conversation about mental health within our department," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Rachel Walton.
Garrick was a walk-on student-athlete at USC, who became a 4-year starter and had a very successful career. As a libero for the Women of Troy, she won a PAC-12 championship, made two Elite Eight appearances, served two seasons as co-captain, finished first in the conference in total digs in 2018, and finished with the top five for most career digs in program history.
Despite a successful career on the surface, the high-pressure environment and intense demands of being a student-athlete took a toll on her mental health. She began sharing her story with her 2017 TED Talk, "The Hidden Opponent" sharing how she battled and overcame depression and anxiety as a student-athlete. Since then, she has grown her advocacy for mental health and self-care and shared her messages to college campuses throughout the country.
"I was so honored to share my mental health story with the incredible student-athletes and devoted athletic administration at the University of Northern Colorado," Garrick said. "It is clear that UNC is taking significant action to increase mental health awareness on campus as well as provide its student-athletes with all of the necessary resources and support their needs. It was so inspiring to see this athletic community come together and genuinely want to make a difference in college sports."
"Having Victoria in talking to our athletes about mental health was super beneficial for UNC Athletics because it showed our athletes that it's okay to be vulnerable," junior linebacker and Big Sky SAAC President Justice Littrell said. "Today's society has pushed the athlete's feelings and emotions aside because we are supposed to be tough, and able to handle anything. However, no one understands what athletes go through besides athletes, and so to have one come and share her story, especially when she speaks from experience and tough trials at a high-level institution like USC, really shows us that it's okay to ask for help. She is helping build a bridge for all athletes to cross if and when they need help. Overall, it really was an impactful experience for everyone involved."
To stay up to date on all things UNC Athletics, visit UNCBears.com and follow the department on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNC_Bears.
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