GNAC SAAC Partners With Mental Health Speaker Ivy Watts

Following a virtual meeting earlier in June, the GNAC will continue to connect former student-athlete Ivy Watts with GNAC SAAC members regarding the speaker's Mental Health Support Modules.

June 17, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Module discussions focus on mental
health practices, including COVID-19 support

WINTHROP, Mass. – Earlier this month, members of the GNAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Commissioner's Council met virtually with Ivy Watts, who is Mental Health First Aid Certified, and promotes mental wellness and reduces stigma around mental illness by sharing her story through public speaking and her writing.

A former NCAA track student-athlete, Ivy empowers others to speak their truths, know that they are not alone, learn the beauty of self-love, and find strength to keep fighting for their tomorrows.

The GNAC SAAC Commissioner's Council's interactions with Ivy focused on her COVID-19 Mental Health Support Modules.

"I am incredibly grateful to be able to work with the GNAC to create spaces for meaningful mental health conversations among student-athletes," said Watts.

"Unfortunately, COVID has only amplified the mental health issues that student-athletes were likely already experiencing, by taking away so many important aspects of life, in such a short time. Mental Health Support During COVID-19 and Beyond is a set of modules that was created with the goal of providing support specifically during COVID-19 for the loss that student-athletes are likely struggling with. The modules aim to provide student-athletes with tools for their mental wellness during this tough time, so that they can develop their strength and resiliency for tough times that come in the future."

As a result of the eye-opening learning experience that Ivy provided to the Commissioner's Council, the conference will also work with Ivy during the 2020-21 academic year in an effort to continue the focus on these discussions for other GNAC SAAC student-athletes.

"We are beyond excited to have Ivy join our GNAC team and help raise the bar for how we take care of ourselves, which ultimately effects how we help others," said Norwich University graduate Brandon Milburn, a men's lacrosse student-athlete who accompanied the GNAC to the 2020 NCAA Convention in Anaheim.

"Mental health is a huge topic of discussion among student-athletes, especially right after the convention," added Milburn. "Trying to build upon that and pass the torch to the next [GNAC SAAC] group is a priority for us."

"The discussion with Ivy was very informative and her modules were self-explanatory, easy to follow, and gave great perspective from a former student-athlete," said Morgan Mercier, an Emmanuel College two-sport rising senior and the newly appointed Division III national SAAC representative for the GNAC. "It will be great to implement these modules for the incoming GNAC SAAC Commissioner's Council, and even all members of the GNAC SAAC."

The GNAC league office will announce its new SAAC Commissioner's Council later this summer. Mercier, who also attended the 2020 NCAA Convention, will work in conjunction with the GNAC Commissioner's Council to develop SAAC initiatives and help guide discussions during the 2020-21 academic year.

"The GNAC is doing great work to create a strong mental wellness foundation for its student-athletes by investing in mental health programming and resources," added Watts. "I am so glad that my modules will be part of helping GNAC student-athletes build their mental wellness toolkit."

More About Ivy | IVYWATTSSPEAKS.COM
A former student-athlete who appeared to have it all together, graduating Summa Cum Laude and a top 30 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, on the inside struggled daily with anxiety, self-worth and depression. After finally seeking help, Ivy, who is Mental Health First Aid Certified, promotes mental wellness and reduces stigma around mental illness by sharing her story through public speaking and her blog, Beautifully Simply You. Ivy empowers others to speak their truths, know that they are not alone, learn the beauty of self-love and find strength to keep fighting for their tomorrows. Ivy has empowered over 8,000 students and over 3,000 administrators and parents to practice mental wellness for themselves and for others. Together, we can change and save lives. Will you join the movement?

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.

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