Day 2 2/18/2026 - Coalition of Athletic Communities for Mental Health

Описание: 8:20am – 9:05am. The Modern Mindset on Athlete Mental Health
Moderator: Arman Taghizadeh, MD, Founder, Mindset Training Institute, Clinical Advisory Board Chair, The Hidden Opponent
Panelist: Civana Demerson, NCAA Division 1 Soccer National Champion, played for NWSL’s Washington Spirit, member of U.S. under-17 and under-20 teams
Panelist: Montee Ball, Former NFL Athlete, Mental Health Advocate, Founder Game Plan Life Foundation, 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee

9:10am – 9:55am. Coaches, Staff, and Their Impact on Athlete Mental Health
Moderator: Brigitte Shulze, Co-Founder, Sarah Shulze Foundation
Panelist: Lexi Westley, Former Cross Country and Track Athlete, University of Wisconsin, Assistant Coach, Rutgers Track & Field and Cross Country
Panelist: Alissa Niggemann, All-American and Big Ten Champion, Former Cross Country and Track Athlete, University of Wisconsin, Current Assistant Coach, NIWOT High School Track & Cross Country
Panelist: Gina Meyer, Co-Founder, Katie’s Save
Panelist: Hania Taduran, Former Beach Volleyball Player, University of the Pacific, Current Graduate Student in Marriage and Family Therapy, Founder, Breaking Barriers

10:00am – 10:45am. The Power of the Huddle: Sports Teams as Catalysts for Community Mental Health
Moderator: Mena Mirhom, MD, Chief Wellbeing Office for Athletes for Hope
Alex Reed, PsyD, Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Psychologist for Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids
Letha Atwater, LPC, LAC is a clinician who has worked extensively with communities such as athletes and first responders.
Jen Royer, PhD, Senior Director of TrueSport & Awareness
Montee Ball, Former NFL Athlete, Mental Health Advocate, Founder Game Plan Life Foundation, 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee

*12:00pm – 1:00pm. Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds: Sports Psychiatry as a Sub-Specialty: A Multi-Disciplinary Team Perspective of Supporting Athlete Mental Health
Moderator: Matt Mishkind, PhD, Deputy Director, Johnson Depression Center
Panelist: Jessica Bartley, PsyD, Senior Director, Psychological Services, Sports Medicine, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee
Panelist: Mike Clark, PhD, Psychological Services Provider, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee
Panelist: Julia Cawthra, PhD, Psychological Services Provider, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee
Panelist: David Lacocque, PsyD, Director of Mental Health & Performance Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

1:30-4:30. Breakout Sessions – Each track will include 30-minute presentations focused on a specific topic, with a 5-minute break between each presentation to assist transition to other sessions.

Youth Sports as Protective Factors (2004)
Introduction: Caleb Coats, Project Play Colorado
1:30pm – 2:00pm. “Science into Action” - Sheila Ohlsson Walker, Ph.D., The Ubuntu Fund and Marc Brackett, Ph.D., The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
2:05pm – 2:35pm. “Always and Athlete: Staying Connected” - Marianna Williamson, US Association of Blind Athletes and former USA Gymnast and Emily Huston, MA, HomeTeam former USA and Pro Volleyball
2:40pm – 3:10pm. “Conversation with CHSAA” - Rashaan Davis, Colorado High School Activities Association
3:15pm – 3:45pm. “Athletics and Beyond” - Narcy Jackson, Athletics and Beyond
3:50pm – 4:20pm. “Bridging the Gap” - Jen Royer, PhD, Senior Director of TrueSport & Awareness