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March Madness is around the corner, with the field of 64 tipping off this Friday. For fans across the country, these next few weeks of single-elimination chaos teases the highest and lowest of emotional swings. For the participating athletes, those extremes could be even more consuming: from the stress inside the lines to the online harassment that has become all too commonplace.
Today, BetterHelp—an online service that aims to remove traditional barriers to therapy and make mental health care accessible to everyone—has announced a new campaign called “Stop the Madness” to make a powerful stand against online harassment.
With the rise in sports betting, student-athletes are receiving an increased amount of blame on social media for betting outcomes. This month, BetterHelp will provide any student-athlete who visits StopTheMadness.org a free month of therapy. While one in five collegiate athletes reports experiencing mental health concerns, fewer than half of those student-athletes seek support;
“Mental health is not a sideline issue—it is the entire game,” said Fernando Madeira, president and CEO of BetterHelp. “We are breaking down the barriers that keep athletes from seeking help, transforming mental health support from a whispered conversation to a powerful statement of courage and hope.”
Kiki Rice, point guard of the top-seeded UCLA Bruins, is among the athletes participating in this campaign. “As athletes, we’re trained to handle pressure—and not just during the game,” Rice said. “It follows us off the court and everywhere we go. Without the right support, it can really take a toll. So, if you’re a student-athlete—or you know one—remember help is out there. And asking for it is one of the strongest things you can do.”
Ahead of the tournament’s tipoff, Rice joined Winsidr senior writers Myles Ehrlich and Owen Pence to discuss BetterHelp’s campaign and explain why the initiative is so important to her. Listen below to the conversation.
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