How the Colts are promoting mental health awareness this month

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts will be hosting multiple events across Indiana this month in an effort to promote mental health awareness as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.

The events are all part of the Colts’ Kicking the Stigma campaign, which has “worked to raise awareness around mental health and combat the feelings of shame associated with mental illness.”

“Over the last five years, Kicking The Stigma has focused on moving the discussion of mental health out of the darkness and into the open so people can seek and receive life-saving help without shame or embarrassment,” Colts Vice Chair and Owner Kalen Jackson said in a news release.

The following are some ways how Kicking the Stigma will be out in the community this month:

• Saturday, May 3 – Kicking the Stigma is teaming up with organizers of the Fishers (Ind.) Farmers Market to “highlight and share info about mental health during the market’s Hope for Happiness Day.” The Fishers Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.
• Thursday, May 8 – Kicking the Stigma will be at Pike High School from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for MSD Pike Township’s annual Mental Health Fair.
• Thursday, May 15 – Kicking the Stigma is taking part in Mental Health Action Day, “a day that encourages and empowers people to take action and focus on mental wellness for themselves, their loved ones or their community.”
• Friday, May 16 – Kicking The Stigma is partnering with Ascension St. Vincent to host its inaugural “Inside the Huddle” event. The event will focus on “maternal mental health and the journey through parenthood. The event is designed for new and prospective parents and professionals and organizations who provide care to those in need.” The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Ascension St. Vincent William K. Nasser, MD, Nassar Healthcare Education & Simulation Center. To attend, you must fill out this form.

In addition, Kicking the Sigma is promoting a “Let’s Talk About It” campaign throughout the entire month to “encourage conversations about mental health and normalize the topic as a regular part of our health and wellness discussions.” Residents are encouraged to show their support at White River State Park along the Canal (May 1-31) and at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 14-18) by sharing photos on social media using #KickingTheStigma.

“We’ve seen progress in Indiana and nationally, but Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that there is so much work left to do to continue moving our society and culture in a positive direction when it comes to mental health and wellness,” Jackson said in the news release..

The Irsay family launched the Kicking the Stigma campaign in 2020. The program has committed $31 million so far “to expand treatment and research and raise awareness in Indiana and beyond,” according to the news release.

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