The Commanders seek to reach out to their fan base on Sunday, before the Week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
Therefore, the Commanders are inviting the fan base that will be attending Sunday’s game to what they are announcing as an Inaugural Raise Awareness for Mental Health pregame panel that is open to those purchasing a ticket to the game.
Here is a link to provide you with information helping you to gain access to the free panel discussion regarding mental health.
With the game’s kickoff scheduled for 1 pm, gates for the game will open at 11 a.m., and the panel starts promptly at 11:30 a.m. The panel discussion, open to fans with a game ticket, will be conducted in the Branson Lounge & Gallery, located on the Club Level between sections 306-308.
A moderated panel of six will discuss mental health awareness, and they will also provide a time when those in attendance will be provided an opportunity to present their question to the panel.
The American Psychiatric Association Foundation, located in Washington, D.C., will lead the event hosted by the Commanders.
On its website, the APAF declares that its mission is to promote the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. Its vision is to see a mentally healthy nation where people live, learn, work, worship, and play.
The six-person panel will include: Kelly Mahoney (AFSP National Area Chapter), Marcus Smith (former Philadelphia Eagle, Seattle Seahawk, Washington Redskin), Rawle Andrews Jr (Executive Director APA Foundation), Eric Kussin (Founder, #SAMEHERE), Dr Darron Garner, Ph,D (Clinical, Social) and Brook Choulet, M.D. (Concierge Sports & Performance).
Smith was a first-round draft choice of the Eagles in the 2014 NFL draft. But after three seasons, the Eagles released him. He then played for the Seahawks, but through the pressures and expectations placed on him, had begun to dislike and eventually hate football. He even fell deep enough emotionally that he seriously contemplated suicide and actually attempted it.
He credits former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll for allowing Smith to get the help he needed to regain his mental health. He finished his career playing briefly for the Redskins, resides in Maryland, and is an advocate for mental health.
Here is a link where Smith tells his story of fame, expectations, depression, attempted suicide, and recovery.
In addition to Smith, Commanders Wire had the opportunity to speak to one other member of the panel, Dr. Brook Choulet.
“With this panel discussion, we want to encourage those attending by bringing more awareness to the issue of mental health,” said Choulet. “Our desire is to help communities be normalizing conversation concerning mental health. It is my hope to encourage communities to invest in their own mental health and those of their families and friends.”
Choulet is the founder and CEO of the Choulet Performance Psychiatry, President of the Maricopa County Medical Society Foundation and President of the American Board of Sports Performance Psychiatry, of which she is one of seven founding members.
Choulet also worked for two seasons as a consulting team psychiatrist for the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA).
