Providence and Seattle Sounders FC hosted 120 students from Seattle and Federal Way, Washington for a youth mental health event at El Centro De La Raza, a Seattle community organization dedicated to uniting all races and empowering them with valuable support and resources.
Students heard Sounders players Jesús Ferreira and Alex Roldán speak on the importance of mental health and how it plays a role in their responsibility as professional athletes. They also engaged with students in a Q&A.
Other speakers included Daisy Aceves, PhD, clinical psychologist at Providence Swedish, and Maddy Foreman, project manager for Work2BeWell, a teen-led mental health and wellness program focused on providing mental health resources for teens, educators, and communities.
“It’s important for students to hear athletes at this level share how mental health plays a role in their lives on and off the field,” said Foreman. “Mental health is a key component in everyone’s well-being. The sooner we help students understand and prioritize it, the better they’ll be at handling stress, navigating adversity, and practicing self-care.”
The event is the latest in a concerted effort to address youth mental health needs in Metro Seattle. Providence and Sounders FC joined forces in January 2023 to amplify and destigmatize mental health among local students.
Since that time, within the Renton School District where both entities are headquartered, Providence and Sounders FC have implemented mental health awareness and education including 14 Work2BeWell curriculum training sessions for more than 700 teachers and 14 mental wellness-themed assemblies to support youth.
Funded by Providence’s Well Being Trust, virtual therapy services were also launched throughout the Renton School District, providing access to more than 15,000 students. Since the launch of this service in August 2023, nearly 4,000 virtual therapy sessions have been completed with district students.
Providence’s Well Being Trust is honored to help drive this important work that advances the mental health and well-being of our youth.
Learn more about the partnership and its impact.
